#Yamichar week 2021

[lyranova]

The Garden

Hi guys! So here’s my little entry to celebrate the beginning of Yamichar week, I once again apologize for not being able to participate in the remaining days (this might change but I’m not sure) but I do hope you all enjoy this! I chose the prompt ‘Garden’ for this one and I hope you all like it!

Taglist: @eme-eleff @flow3rbudz @ckjwnnbc

Word Count: 791

———

Charlotte paused as she rounded the Royal Garden. This secluded place had been one of her sanctuaries since she became a Captain, when she needed a break from her girls or from her Captain’s duties this would be the place she would go. Mostly because it was abandoned by others in the Castle and because it was very beautiful and relaxing. But there was another reason she liked this particular garden.

This garden had been the place she and her boyfriend, Black Bulls Captain Yami Sukehiro, shared their first kiss. It had been unintentional but neither one regretted it and it happened to give Charlotte the courage to confess her feelings for him. She’d never forget the shocked look on his face, it had been super cute, but when he had stayed quiet for a while she began to grow nervous until he pulled her into his arms and kissed her again.

She brought a gentle hand up to her lips and placed it onto them softly as the memory flashed into her mind. Finally as the memory faded she turned the corner and let out a surprised gasp at what she saw.

Rose bushes of various colors everywhere, she walked a little further in and was greeted by the lovely smell. The garden didn’t have rose bushes before, she frowned in thought as she looked around the area. As far as she knew the only people who knew this garden even existed was her and Yami.

“ Oh hey Prickly Princess. I wasn’t expecting you to show up for at least another 30 minutes.” Yami said as he wiped beads of sweat off his forehead, Charlotte turned to look at him and saw he was covered in sweat and dirt, as she looked a little past him and saw another rose bush being planted as well as a shovel.

“ Did you do all of this?” Charlotte asked him softly as she gestured to the blooming flowers around her. Yami’s face turned a faint pink as he rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment.

“ Yeah, well most of it. I had a few of the other Black Bulls help me with bringing them here and getting it set up but otherwise yeah, I planted all of them.” He muttered, Charlotte had assumed he asked the Spatial Mage in his squad to help him transport it and the magicless boy to help him carry them. Charlotte couldn’t help but feel slightly bad for the boys as they seemed to act more like Yami’s errand boys then Magic Knights at times.

“ Why did you go to all the trouble of doing this?” She asked him curiously, but she had a feeling she already knew the answer, and when he blushed even more it confirmed it.

“ Well, this place looked a little dead so I thought some flowers would help bring it some new life. Besides,” he continued as he turned away. “ I know how much you love roses and I remembered how you said you wished you could plant some here.” Yami shrugged casually, Charlotte let out a soft laugh. She had a feeling he was mostly doing this because of her. She walked over to him and placed a gentle kiss onto his cheek.

“ Thank you, I love it. You’ll have to tell me some of the native flowers from your home country.” She said as she walked over to his shovel.

“ Why?” Yami asked with a frown, he felt his heart skip a beat when she turned to smile at him. Gods how he loved that smile.

“ Well, because I’m truly interested to learn about your native flowers. But also because I want to make this garden our place, not just mine. I want this to be a place where we can both retreat to and relax after a long and tiring day if we need to. So I want it to be filled with flowers we both enjoy.” She explained with a soft blush on her face, Yami smirked before walking towards her. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, bent down, and placed a gentle kiss onto her lips.

“ Sounds like a good idea Princess.” Yami agreed softly before placing another kiss onto her lips, he chuckled at how red her face had become by the small action. He silently wondered if she would ever stop being embarrassed when he kissed her, he doubted it. “ C’mon, you can help me finish planting the last one.”

As the weeks went on Yami and Charlotte continued to plant flowers in their garden, both flowers from Clover and from Yami’s home country as well. When they had finally finished, the garden was covered in plant life and had become their little sanctuary.

[succulentsunrise]

A Chance of Courage

- Small talks, small actions and small decisions lead to something momentous.

My piece for the YamiChar Week, Day 2! It is both a stand-alone and a continuation to my Day 1 fic 🥰

Edit: I've added a small directory!

Day 1 | All | Day 3

It is funny how sometimes even the smallest things can become an obsession in one’s mind. For Charlotte Roselei, this was the meeting she had had with Yami Sukehiro in the gardens a week prior. A cordial, common meeting - but the substance of it empty. Her mind kept replaying that meeting, her heart aching and leaping into conclusions. She knew that the more she thought about it, the more she was adding things into the scene. More meaningful stares. More subtle hints. The reality was probably something more reasonable.

“Sis?” Sol’s voice woke her up from her thoughts.

Charlotte turned towards the younger woman, straightening her back and trying to concentrate on her surroundings. They were sitting together outside, in the garden. Ah - that was why her thoughts had turned to the meeting again. The thought distracted her once more. She was in some aspect conscious that Sol was talking to her, but she found it difficult to concentrate on that. Sharing a moment like this with Yami would be impossible. He wasn’t the type of man to sit outside and read poetry. Charlotte liked poetry. It was proper and beautiful and oh - so romantic. She blinked, trying to listen to Sol again. What a beautiful morning it was…

“Sis, you’re not listening.”

The accusation wasn’t without reason, causing Charlotte to look slightly embarrassed and apologetic. She spoke gently, her eyes lowering down to the poetry book on her lap.

“My apologies, Sol.”

“What’s on your mind?” Sol asked, her young face painted with curiosity.

It would be too embarrassing to tell. Too difficult to tell to Sol. Charlotte shook her head with a small smile.

“I was wondering what inspired these authors to write so beautifully,” she lied.

“They probably couldn’t say what they wanted out loud, y’know,” Sol laughed with a grin.

Charlotte considered her for a moment. Sol was a vibrant person, full of life and brashness. She didn’t stop to consider things yet. She lived in the moment. Charlotte knew Sol looked up to her. Sol was still easily impressionable. Any opinion Charlotte presented, she echoed louder and coarser. Yes, Sol wasn’t refined, not like a noble. Perhaps it was what endeared her to Charlotte. Perhaps she liked coarse people. People like Sol and Yami. They both disarmed the wall of thorns she had built in her quest for control over her own magic.

They probably couldn’t say what they wanted out loud.

Charlotte found it a rather apt remark. Perhaps she should write one? No. Yami wouldn’t understand anything about poetry, and in any case, it would be rather too embarrassing. It was already embarrassing to try to come to terms with the fact that the ruffian had stolen her heart. With a sigh, Charlotte shook her head.

“You do not admire the ingeniousness of the poets,” she remarked to Sol. “Perhaps because you always have the right words for everything.”

Sol laughed a little more, its gay sound ringing in the air.

“I’ve got the words, alright, but sometimes they come out wrong! Or sometimes I mean to say something, but I say something else instead, something that I wasn’t supposed to say at all!”

“That’s because you speak quicker than you think,” Charlotte suggested, turning back to her poetry book.

Sol didn’t seem to mind her comment, and instead returned to her own project. She had decided to try embroidering on Charlotte’s insistence. So far, she seemed to be somewhat frustrated by the actual process, though delighted by the results.

Later that evening, Charlotte visited the marketplace at the Royal Capital. She never quite liked these trips. There were too many shouts, too many men staring, too many awed sighs. She steeled her face into a cold stare to keep people from approaching her and simply strode towards her destination: an antiquarian bookshop. It was a gold mine for old poetry books, and she had become a regular there by now. Her visit there was simple and sweet. The shopkeeper recommended a new arrival - a rather old poetry book by a rather old poet. Flipping through the pages, Charlotte had approved of its contents and taken it. Then, business concluded, she left. As she glanced around herself on the road, her gaze picked up a familiar figure far in the distance. The combination of dark hair, black cloak and the relaxed style of walking was impossible to not recognize. Yami. Next to him was one of his subordinates - Charlotte couldn’t quite remember his name. She considered for a moment going after them and talking, but her pride won over. She wouldn’t know what to say. In any case, it was too embarrassing, running after a man. Charlotte turned to the opposite direction, deciding to take the long way home. This time she tried specifically not to think of Yami. She avoided the parks of the Royal Capital with the exact purpose of not remembering their meeting. She kept the poetry book she had just bought out of her sight and she stopped herself from wondering about what Yami was doing here. She tried to concentrate on the other people wandering around: a group of young girls giggling and whispering in a group, several workers sitting together on a break, young children running across the street…

It was an impulse that made Charlotte stop at a street food vendor. She wasn’t especially hungry, but it had passed enough time from the last time she had eaten. A sweet smell had caught her attention, and the sight of the first berries of the year had enthralled her. She happily bought a snack and found herself a place nearby to eat it. Then, Charlotte sunk to her thoughts once more. She should’ve taken Sol with, most likely. Sol would’ve liked such a sweet snack. It’d be difficult to take one with, though. Would it stay good - and if she took one, wouldn’t she need to buy the whole squad some? No, it was too much trouble. Charlotte leaned her face to her hand and sighed. She’d just have to bring Sol here some other time. She couldn’t take the whole squad. For now she would just enjoy the atmosphere of the city, eat her little snack and go home. There were still some reports to be written. Charlotte’s thoughts became immediately busy with planning. She’d first write that one, then turn to the mission business - and then there was that case of misconduct from one of the girls. Yes, that would be very important to investigate. She would make sure there was something in that accusation before she’d let it slip through her fingers.

A series of voices caught Charlotte’s attention as she pondered her duties.

“--it’s great for all tastes, Captain!” a warm, insistent tone explained, half-apologetic, half-excited. “You could bring anyone here and they’d find what they’d like!”

The young man speaking was dressed in greens - Charlotte recognized him immediately as that subordinate of Yami’s. Her gaze moved quickly next to the man. Yes, Yami was with him. Scratching the back of his neck as he was squinting at the street vendor’s food, he seemed unimpressed and unwilling to be there.

“Just get what you want, and let’s go,” she heard Yami grunt.

It was clear they were here because of the subordinate. Somehow, while Charlotte had tried to avoid them, they had run to Charlotte. She felt a slight flush come to her face. Yami moved away from the vendor, waiting at the side for the subordinate to pick what he wanted. Charlotte stood up, impulse taking over. Several things jumped in her mind: the meeting, the fact that poets couldn’t say what they wanted, the fact that Yami was right there and that Yami was coarse like Sol, and that Sol spoke quicker than she thought. They didn’t make much sense like that, but they were what drove Charlotte to walk up to Yami.

“Oh, hey.”

Yami’s greeting expressed his surprise well. The eyes that stared at her were shrouded in that dumb gaze. Charlotte spoke fast and breathily, forgetting to draw air while speaking. She didn’t want the subordinate to hear.

“I was wondering if you’d meet me tomorrow evening.”

“Tomorrow?”

Yami’s gaze flickered to the skies. He scratched his cheek.

“Look at you,” he then answered, and Charlotte could swear there was a playful twinkle in his eyes. “Sure.”

“Tomorrow then. Let’s say at six, at the--”

“--at the Grove,” Yami interrupted with a smirk.

Charlotte’s composure faltered, the stream of words sputtering to an end. She felt her face become fully red as she tried to regain her ability to speak. The Grove? It wasn’t the one she had planned to suggest, but it was an alright dining place. Not as fine as she had thought of - but it wasn’t that big of a deal. Perhaps because she hadn’t planned it out properly yet. From the corner of her eye, she saw Yami’s subordinate turn to look for his captain. She didn’t want him to see this.

“Cat got your tongue? The establishment not good enough?” Yami teased.

Yes, it was teasing. Charlotte could recognize it, even when his expression looked hurt and insulted. He had perfected that look.

“It’s fine,” Charlotte muttered, embarrassed and caught off-guard.

Yami smiled.

It was a smug smile.

Charlotte whirled around and went back to where she had been sitting, picking up her things and leaving with her half-eaten snack. She couldn’t bear to stay there any longer. No, she needed to go and work on the reports.

That was - if she could concentrate on them after this.

[thoughtfullyrainynightmare]

YamiCharWeek Day 3, for which I used the prompt “Wine”. I hope you enjoy ^-^

Pairing: Charlotter Roselei x Yami Sukehiro

Fic type: Oneshot

Charlotte made her way through the garden of the Magic Knights’ Headquarters with a frown on her face. She was not happy about the results of the latest meeting and had stayed behind to calm her nerves before venturing to Blue Rose Knights’ Base so that she wouldn’t upset any of her girls with her attitude.

Most of the times, her fellow captains were pleasant enough to work with. But. There were times when she wished that she would have more backup from Dorothy against all of the built-up testosterone in the room.

She stopped and sighed before turning her gaze up into the evening sky. I really am fighting against men’s world… she thought to herself, but was woken from her thoughts by a voice.

“Hey there prickly princess.”

Charlotte tensed up with the familiar voice as her mind began to race. Questions of what Yami was doing there, him having supposed to go home already, and what he might want, they all swirled in her mind.

“You look tense,” he commented while making his way to her.

“What do you want Yami?” She questioned, feeling her heart racing as she concentrated on the idea of what he might indeed want.

“Nothing much. I just won a bottle of wine in a game of cards, but I’m not much of a wine drinker myself,” he simply stated, sounding almost indifferent about his winnings.

“So what? You’re here to try and sway me with a bottle of wine?” She spat, cursing herself in her mind. Noo. Charlotte what are you doing?! He’s just trying to be nice. Right? Maybe I could even ask him out for a drink with me-, no what am I thinking?!

“I’m not trying to sway you into anything. I just figured that wine would taste better with company,” he shrugged.

“You expect me to drink from the bottle?!” She asked, far louder than she meant to while turning her face away from him to hide her blush.

“Way ahead of you. I know that’s not your style,” he commented while holding out two glasses in his other hand before starting to make his way to a perfectly decorative piece of railing, which was only there to draw a line between a flower bench and the grass.

He sat onto the railing and poured some wine into both of the glasses, placing the bottle, along with the other glass onto the railing and taking a sip from his own glass. All the while Charlotte was contemplating what to do. She didn’t owe him anything, but then again neither did he. He didn’t need to do this, and it wasn’t exactly Yami’s style to try and negotiation over glasses of wine.

So, after a moment of weighing her options, she decided to give in and join him. She took the glass and sat onto the railing as well, just sipping her wine, not saying a word. Only the wind filled the silence between them, until he decided to break the serenity.

“It’s a good thing you’re doing for your girls,” he simply commented, seemingly without intending to elaborate on his statement.

“What do you mean by that?”

“You’re giving them a safe space, the same as my Bulls,” he explained, pouring himself another glass.

Charlotte looked at him, wondering where he was going with this.

“You’ve had to earn your position, and we respect you for that,” he continued.

“If you’re trying to sweet talk me into-“

“Who said anything about sweet talking?” He interrupted, emptying the glass with one gulp. “Can’t a guy give you a compliment anymore?” He smiled to himself. It was an almost timid smile, a hesitant smile. And it threw her off.

She looked at him, wondering about it. But he seemed sincere. He seemed as if he only wanted to tell her just that, but if that was the case, why bother getting the wine. Or then it was just as he had said, and he had won it while gambling. She couldn’t tell.

But before she had time to question him further, he had already gotten up and wished her good night. The encounter only making her mind race a million miles an hour. And, through it all, the thoughts and the swirling emotions, her heart kept beating in her chest with longing that she still tried to deny.

[yamicharweek]

Hi guys! We're so happy to announce the first yamichar week ever!✨

Images by: @lullabyyyy04

More details, prompts and dates will be announced soon, so stay tuned! We're also on twitter, feel free to follow us there as well.

Let's spread love for our favourite black clover ship! 🌹⚔

Rebloggs are highly appreciated!

[crazyclownthanos]

Limitations

Words: 494

thanks so much @lyranova for posting her lovely Yami x Charlotte week entry, the garden i loved it so much…such a fluffy and cutesy story *\(^o^)/* Anyway apologizes of this isn’t top tier nor as long as I would’ve liked. The crazy amount of school work has caused me to go into writersblock T^T

•••

Charlotte’s day had past quite quickly. Waking up, having her squamates prepare a lovely breakfast in bed, water her garden, took a bath and most importantly, train.

For the longest time Charlotte continued and continued to push herself to new heights to defeat her childhood curse, however that was pushed aside when an oddball who went by the name Yami Sukehiro saved her life. The thought of losing him made her heart ache. She had to prove herself to be a strong woman.

As the sun began set. Charlotte did not. She needed to better herself, this wasn’t her very best and she hated every second of it.

“Just a little further…Just a little further…”

Whispering to herself countless amount of times. All her squamates stood at their knees, they appeared so frail and defeated as Charlotte still stood. Her grip tightened as she held her whip. Placing a hand on her heart she heard a repetitive thump, turns out she was suffering the same problem all her subordinates were feeling.

As this thought fizzled out, her pulse increased apidly when a tall, muscular, black messy haired, lazily dressed mage appeared through one of his subordinates supposed worm holes.

Each step he took she felt her face whole burn up. They’ve been dating for so long but yet this anxious feeling kept on reoccurring every now and then whenever they saw each other. Did they or did they not organised dinner plans? Wasn’t that scheduled for next week?

Sol seeing her captains heated expression sighed before passing out on the concrete.

“Prickly princess.”

“Yes Yami?” She turned to face him as she covered her crimson hues with her small palm.

Seeing her odd approach, Yami tilted his head before taking his cigarette out.

She had never of’ve guess this would happen. Taking her chin into his large hand, he didn’t violent yank her head up. It was the opposite actually. He pulled her chin up very gently.

Inspecting her face for a little while he opened his mouth again.

“You need sleep.”

Her heart just jumped. Even by her concealing her dark circles with simple cosmetics he was able to see through her. “Your KI seemed weak when I walked over. I was concerned.” A faint blush rose on his cheeks. “Y’know you’re only human, you gotta have sleep.” The last few words he spoke, sounded ever so soft. Those simple words was enough for Charlotte to loose and balance. Yami, who’m secured a tight grip around her chuckled to himself. Indeed delicate and beautiful like a rose, though tough and hard to get through. As her head laid on his broad shoulders he could hear her heart rhymn turn more calm.

“AAAAAHHH~”

“They’re so cute together!”

“When are they gonna get married and have babies?”

“It’s beauty and the beast right infront of us!”

“Too adorable!!”

“You got this captain! Rile him in!”

Oh yeah, the blue rose knights we’re still here……

•••

[saraasamaa]

Day:1 garden+confession

[succulentsunrise]

How do your roses grow?

- With misdirection, confusion and ardent love.

My piece for the YamiChar Week, Day 1, combining the prompts "confession" and "garden"! 🥰

If you want to listen to music while reading it for an atmosphere, I recommend this one: Clair De Lune

| All | Day 2

Charlotte Roselei rubbed her hands together. The rising sun couldn’t quite shake off the chill of the early spring morning, and she had been working in the garden for some time now. Most of the sprawling garden of the headquarters was taken care of by the gardeners, but occasionally Charlotte would tend the roses. This was the first time she had tried actually planting them. The gnarled roots didn’t yet seem as beautiful as the roses would eventually be. With a sigh, she took off the dirt-covered gloves and wiped some sweat away from her forehead.

“Yo,” a gruff voice appeared out of nowhere.

Charlotte jumped, her grimoire appearing before her. Who dared! Her icy glare landed on a tall, broad figure with ruffled dark hair and scraggly stubble. She knew immediately who dared then - Yami Sukehiro wasn’t known for his etiquette or gracefulness. Her heart skipped a beat or two as she looked at him, that feeling of familiarity and fanciful crush overtaking her. He looked at her.

Silence ensued.

Charlotte thought he looked more clueless than usual today.

“Too good to answer?” Yami asked. “That’s hurtful, y’know.”

“No--no,” Charlotte stammered slightly.

She coughed, pulling herself together again. Seeing him made her always feel like everything was more difficult - sentences, thoughts, any kind of subtlety. Luckily for her, Yami was as dense as a rock.

“Why are you here?” Charlotte asked, hiding the dirtied gloves behind her.

Yami’s eyes followed her movement, as if he somehow knew. It was the strange dichotomy of Yami Sukehiro in Charlotte’s mind. She felt like he knew everything she thought of, everything she felt, and yet she also knew that getting her emotions through to him was like trying to fight quicksand. He was sharp, but not that sharp.

“Been gardening like the commoners?” Yami commented, ignoring her question.

“Gardening is a noble past-time,” Charlotte remarked with a chill she hadn’t meant to be there.

Yami stretched a little.

“Right. Well, I came here to ask you about something.”

“What is it at this time? It’s barely time for you to even begin waking up.”

Yami took one measured step towards her, leaning towards her slightly. His posture was relaxed, but there was something confident about it. Charlotte's heart jumped a little at the increased nearness.

“I wanted to catch you alone,” Yami said with a low voice.

A flush rose over Charlotte’s face. She couldn't get a word out of her mouth. Was she reading too much into that sentence? It was as if all her muscles had tensed up, clenching her insides and heart in anticipation.

“There was something I wanted to ask you,” Yami continued, his voice smooth and low, and another step bringing him face to face with Charlotte.

He leaned over her slightly, slow and deliberate. Charlotte looked away, her heart beating in her ears. From the corner of her eye, she imagined a kind of a gentle gaze in those dark eyes. She thought she spotted it there, nestled deep within. No, that was silly. She waited for the question, unable to concentrate on anything else. Yami stayed silent for a brief moment. Another. It stretched - too long.

“...where’s the bathroom?”

Charlotte felt her face turn hot red, and as an instinct, she smacked the broad chest in front of her.

“What!” she spat out, part of her wanting to laugh, and part to cry. “You vulgar--”

Yami took few steps back, deterred by the smack, his expression dumb.

“I was in these parts and I really need to go,” he said matter-of-factly.

The tenderness Charlotte had imagined in his eyes had disappeared behind a dumb stare. She felt her blood boil - how dare he! She was embarrassed to be caught with these feelings.

“Go elsewhere,” she answered coldly, turning her back to Yami.

Charlotte could hear him sigh, and could basically see in front of her eyes him scratch his back. He did that often while sighing, when things got awkward.

“Well - I had another thing too.”

“What?”

“A confession.”

Charlotte tensed up, her eyes on the just-planted rose bushes. A confession! A love--no, she knew better than that. She had been disappointed by this man so many times! He never said or did the things her heart yearned for! Yet she couldn’t stop her hopeful heart from beating faster, nor the faint blush from collecting onto her cheeks. She hoped, despite knowing that it was most likely useless.

“I’ve known it for a long time,” Yami continued with a slow cadence. “And the reason I came here so early was so none of your squad would be awake yet. Don’t want any idle gossip.”

Known it for a long time? Gossip? Charlotte’s heart pumped faster, independent of her attempts of reasoning to herself that there was another explanation for everything.

“See, that night when it was just us…”

Charlotte turned slowly towards him, unable to raise her gaze up.

“...I know why you asked me to that restaurant instead of discussing it here.”

Charlotte gulped, stealing a glance at the serious face of the man that had stolen her heart.

“It was because one of your subordinates has a crush on me, right?” Yami asked suddenly.

Nothing could’ve prepared Charlotte for it, except for her insistent reasoning that this is what she should’ve expected. It felt like her very heart deflated inside of her, preparing the way for her spirit to leave her body. It was a gut punch without an actual punch. She stared at him for quite a while, examining those blank eyes and their intentions. It flashed to her mind that if there was anything behind them, that dumbness was a terribly good disguise.

“Don’t be silly,” she said discouragingly, shaking her head. “None of them have a crush on you.”

Charlotte felt Yami’s eyes on her, and for a brief moment, they looked at each other. For a brief moment, there was a fire in those dark eyes, meeting her cold gaze - for a brief moment, it felt like an invitation to a dance she didn’t know steps to. For a brief moment, Charlotte was certain Yami knew and he knew very well what he was doing. Then, the gaze became dull and turned into a sad frown.

“You’re breaking my heart, Prickly Queen,” Yami whined, turning away.

Charlotte stared after him, uncertain of what she had seen and how to react to it. Yami was clearly leaving, lifting one hand up to wave a goodbye.

“Not as much as you break mine,” she said softly.

“Hm?” Yami asked, his head turning around to look at her.

“I said: Go away before you give any funny ideas to my girls.”

“Ah. So cruel.”

“Get out.”

Their eyes met - a question and an answer. An invitation, accepted. Charlotte turned to her roses once more. How utterly confusing. This dance was a strange one. She couldn't even fathom how its steps went.

-

Leaving the headquarters, Yami lit a cigarette slowly. It was a very deliberate, thought out movement.

The roses were beautiful even at this time of the year, he thought.

It was too bad he hadn't been able to say what he wanted.

[succulentsunrise]

Dinner Date?

- or is it just a business meeting? Date? Two idiots can't decide.

My piece for the YamiChar Week, Day 3: Wine! It is both a stand-alone and a continuation to my Day 1&2 fics 🥰 I'll put a directory so it's easier to find them below!

Day 2 | All | Day 4

Even as winter had turned to spring, the sun still descended early. This was not a problem in the Capital - the street lamps and stall lights created a shine so bright that it could be seen from the towns situated lower on the mountain. The city was lively, bright and full of life even in the evening. Stalls stayed open, taverns were filled with groups of friends and drunkards, and the parks saw a large number of families enjoy walks through them. The restaurant that Charlotte Roselei was headed to was called the Grove. It was a place little away from the bustle of the city, known for two things: its deliciously cooked meats and its gambling opportunities. It was not a place she would usually set her foot in. It wasn’t that nobles didn’t visit it - they did, usually in secret - but more that Charlotte preferred a bit more refined places. Restaurants with fine, though arguably expensive wine, and beautifully laid out portions. This restaurant had been Yami’s choice. He had chosen it intentionally, of that Charlotte was sure, for she remembered the playful smirk on his face. The ruffian wanted to see if she would set a foot in a place like this. He thought her too good for it…

Charlotte considered the entrance to the restaurant. She was, in fact, too good for the place. She had dressed slightly upscale, though not too much. Perhaps the high heels had been an unfortunate choice. Her feet were slightly cold despite the thicker stockings. Charlotte was displeased to see the restaurant rather bustling this evening as well. She had wanted this meeting to be somewhere more quiet - more private - more secret. The last thing Charlotte wanted was rumours spreading of her and Yami dating. Yet that was what she had asked him to do, hadn’t she? She had asked him on a date. It had been an impulse. A brief spell of madness. A familiar greeting made her turn her gaze to meet the approaching figure. Yami had barely dressed up. It was, in fact, rather difficult to tell if he had put any effort into the meeting. Charlotte couldn’t lie to herself, it stung a bit. She had hoped to see at least something.

“Just in time,” Charlotte commented, her eyes still appraising him.

Perhaps Yami’s attire was more suited to this place. It was more casual.

“You look different,” Yami answered, his brows furrowing together.

Then, his eyes brightened and he grinned.

“Ah! Left the helmet at home?”

Charlotte sighed. All that effort--

“You look the same as always.”

“Don’t sound so disappointed, princess.”

The nickname caused a small flush to appear on Charlotte’s face, one that she hid by gesturing towards the door of the restaurant.

“Let’s go in. You’ve reserved a table?”

Yami looked at her blankly, in an expression that told her the answer. Of course. No table reservation.

“There’s always a table free,” Yami insisted cheerfully. “Don’t worry.”

They entered together. It was the most stressful moment for Charlotte - to see people instinctively gaze at who was entering, and see them together. Neither of them had the official cloaks of their squads on. There was no mistaking them for two squad captains planning something together. No, they were here as individuals. Charlotte glanced at Yami, but he didn’t seem to be nervous at all. Her heart was pumping fast. It seemed to be pumping all her blood to her face, judging by how much her cheeks burnt. As a waiter came to them to figure out the seating, Charlotte found it difficult to speak. It was that anxiety - that failure at keeping composure - that made her legs shake slightly. What if her voice would shake when she’d try to get them a table? The waiter looked at the two of them. Yami glanced at her, and then, in a relaxed manner, spoke. Charlotte thanked the stars above that he had taken the initiative. She stayed quiet as they were shown to a table. They handled the small talk together: taking the menu, thanking for the water brought to the table, and then - then they settled into silence. Charlotte tapped the menu nervously. She tried to concentrate on reading it, but her gaze kept escaping to Yami instead. The ruffled dark hair and scraggly attempt of a beard were in a way endearing. Yet had he done anything in preparation for this date? Charlotte looked back to the menu with a heavy sigh. She read the lines carefully, trying to figure out what to order. Something good - yes, the chicken sounded good.

“Figured out what you want?” Yami asked, putting his menu down.

Charlotte looked as he leaned back in a relaxed manner. His fingers moved to touch his box of cigarettes, and then stopped. There was clearly an instinct to light a cigarette. It was a curious reflex from his part. Still, he seemed familiar with the place. It wouldn’t necessarily be a bad idea to ask his opinion.

“I think so, but perhaps,” she started, her throat suddenly drying. “Perhaps you could tell if--the chicken--if the chicken is--good?”

“Which one?” Yami asked bluntly, picking up the menu again and squinting at it. “The chicken breast is good. The one with hot sauce is hot. Don’t ask how I know.”

Charlotte nodded, a nervous smile rising to her lips. As their gazes met, she wondered if he wanted her to ask. It’d be a topic to talk about. Yet he had said “don’t ask”. She cleared her throat.

“I’ll take the other one then.”

Yami considered her for a moment silently, before nodding and turning to signal a waiter. Charlotte wished she had had time to ask what he was ordering.

“Ah - what about drinks?” Yami suddenly asked, his hand half-raised in the air.

“Wine for me,” Charlotte said rather quickly.

“Wine? Alright, let’s share a bottle.”

“Oh--alright.”

They bent both over the menu, awkwardly turning the paper so that they could both check the same one. Yami’s fingers brushed against hers for a brief second, sending an electric jolt all the way to Charlotte’s heart. She tried to play it cool and just withdrew her hand, letting Yami do the pointing. After a rather short choosing period, consisting mostly of Charlotte suggesting a wine and Yami agreeing to it, they signalled the waiter and ordered. Charlotte leaned back tensely, looking around the restaurant. It was mostly because she didn’t know what to say to the man in front of her. She had never been on a date. Usually she’d discuss squad matters by now, or the recent events…

“So, while we are waiting, why don’t you tell me what you wanted to talk about?” Yami suddenly suggested.

“Talk about?” Charlotte repeated, surprised.

She looked at the intelligent eyes of the man in front of her, and watched him place his muscular arms on the table. He leaned to them, watching her with a rather dull gaze..

“You wanted to discuss something, right?”

Charlotte stared at him. Oh, she had not prepared for this. He was teasing her, right? There was no sign of that infuriating grin, no twinkle in his eyes. He really thought she was here to discuss something important with him.

“Ri--right,” she mumbled quickly, looking down to the table.

“So what is it?”

Charlotte tried to find an answer from the table. The wooden planks didn’t offer any, however, nor did the menu or the rest of the restaurant. She shouldn’t have agreed.

“It’s--” Charlotte started, and sighed. “It’s related to…”

Yami stared at her. She didn’t have a continuation of that sentence. No matter how much she searched, she couldn’t figure out a problem that she would discuss with Yami. Once more she witnessed his hand move towards his cigarettes, then stop, and Yami leaned back.

“Not ready to talk about it yet? Alright,” he sighed. “Let’s talk after food.”

A silence fell over them. Neither of them had anything to say to each other. It wasn’t quite how Charlotte had planned it in her mind. She had spent most of the day trying to think of topics to discuss - something that wasn’t the recent events. Poetry had come to mind, naturally. Books, food in general - his squad, her squad. Stories about missions. Talk about roses. They were all the kinds of topics she could speak about, but which she didn’t know if Yami enjoyed. This was, in truth, becoming quite the disaster. They waited for the food, but it wasn’t coming. The restaurant was full and busy. Finally, Charlotte gathered her courage.

“I was so surprised when I saw you in the city yesterday,” she started. “I hadn’t expected to run into you.”

“Why? Am I not allowed to visit the capital anymore?” Yami retorted, playing dumb.

At least, Charlotte thought he was playing dumb. Playing like he was hurt. Teasing. She gave him a sharp glance and ignored the remark.

“Were you visiting for official business?”

“No, shopping,” Yami explained. “Some furniture was broken in celebration. Plus I was going to buy them some meat for another celebration.”

“What are you celebrating so?”

“Success!”

He said it so proudly that Charlotte smiled. It was funny to see that excitement in his eyes, just before he’d go overboard with something. Her nervousness over the situation dissolved momentarily, as she listened to Yami explain what exactly had happened. It was a complicated tale of several missions and some unfortunate circumstances. Charlotte listened eagerly, remembering a similar mission in her own experiences, and began telling the tale. She was happy to notice that Yami was as eager a listener as she had been. The food was brought to the table, and they kept talking. The topics were easier once they had started. The food was good and the wine was plenty. Charlotte really tried not to drink too much, knowing that she was a lightweight, but at the end of the evening, she found herself rather tipsy. She blamed the fact that Yami had talked rather long about the magical beasts he had adopted and she had had ample time to sip her wine meanwhile. It hadn’t been a boring tale by any means, but she had barely had time to comment on anything. So wine it had been. Charlotte found herself giggling a little as they were leaving the table.

“You drank too much wine,” Yami commented, once more that playful tone seeping in.

“Your fault,” Charlotte laughed.

She had never felt conversation with Yami be so easy. They stepped outside of the restaurant, Charlotte trying to control her giggles. Ah, but Yami was just too funny -

“Darn, it’s raining,” Yami cursed a little.

Charlotte looked up. It was indeed raining. The streets were full of puddles and water poured with rapid pace from the skies. Charlotte looked at her high heels. They were so pretty and new and not wet. Yet. She resolutely took them off her feet. She noticed Yami staring quite a while before he actually asked his question out loud.

“What are you doing?”

“They’ll get wet,” Charlotte answered with a slightly whiny voice.

She hugged the shoes close to her.

“And I’ll probably drop them if I start flying to the base now,” she added.

“You’ll soak your socks now.”

“Stockings.”

“Well, stockings then. Do you even have an umbrella?”

Charlotte shook her head. The rain had been sudden. She wished she had an umbrella.

“Wait here,” Yami grumbled and went back inside the restaurant.

Charlotte looked at the rain thoughtfully. She was definitely way too tipsy. Her cheeks felt warm and her toes cold. She should’ve let Sol come with. Sol could’ve taken her home…

“Alrighty.”

Yami’s voice came very close to her, and with a small noise, an umbrella appeared above Charlotte.

“They only got one,” Yami explained. “So this is how we’ll do it. I’ll carry you.”

Charlotte laughed out loud.

“You’ll carry me? Home?” she asked.

There was a hurt look on Yami’s face.

“I didn’t boast a whole evening about my muscles for nothing,” he commented and squatted next to her. “Come on.”

Charlotte, a little tipsy and a little impulsive, laughed again.

“You’re not serious.”

“Yes, I am,” Yami insisted. “If you don’t do it soon, I’ll go without you, and then you’ll be a lonely princess without an umbrella, and get sick.”

Charlotte considered his words with amusement. He worried about her, did he? She was tired - walking back to the base would be a bother. She’d be soaked from the rain and there’d be people watching. Slowly, she slumped against Yami’s broad back, feeling its warmth. Her arms wrapped around him, still holding her shoes, and he carefully held onto her and rose up.

“You need to hold the umbrella,” Yami commanded, handing it to her.

Charlotte held it obediently above them, suddenly quiet from the nearness of the man. She could smell the cigarettes on him. It wasn’t the most attractive smell, but there was something else too. Something different. She couldn’t put a finger on it. It didn’t matter. Charlotte sighed a little to herself, hiding her face away. She hadn’t been carried in a long while. Being this close to Yami - it was embarrassing. Her cheeks were flaming red once more. How had she consented to this? Still, she couldn’t deny that it was nice. The steady steps calmed down her racing heart, in a way.

“Thank you,” Charlotte muttered quietly.

“What was that, princess?”

Charlotte didn’t repeat it. Yami didn’t ask. Perhaps they both knew. The way to the base was long, and they had quite the journey ahead of them. Suddenly, it seemed that Yami remembered something.

“Hey, you never told me what you wanted to talk about back there.”

“Oh,” Charlotte murmured. “I’m too tipsy now.”

She wasn’t sure if Yami grumbled something in response. The pouring rain rattled against the umbrella, and she couldn’t hear. They continued walking down the lit streets, now empty of people.

There was darkness, street lamps, the steady beating of rain...and them.

[succulentsunrise]

Abandoned Letter

- never sent, never received.

My piece for the YamiChar Week, Day 5: Letter! It is both a stand-alone and a continuation to my previous YamiChar Week fics!! 🥰 If you want to check them out, see the directory below!

Day 4 | All | Day 6

Found crumpled in the wastebasket of the Black Bulls Hideout.

Hey Charlotte

To Prickly Princess

Lady Roselei

Few ink droplets mar the page. Then, a new paragraph begins.

I’m having trouble telling you what I want to tell, so the brat told me to put it on paper. He’s a straightforward guy, he’s never had trouble telling anyone anything. Probably. In any case. I don’t like words. People show their hearts in what they do.

The writing has sloped slightly to the right. There has been an effort to make it straighter, but not to much avail.

So I came to you and I said bunch of stupid shit, right? What I wanted to say was

So when we met in the gardens

When I saw you in the gardens alone

When

There is a crude drawing of a flower nearby.

You’ve stopped running away from me.

The letter smells slightly of cigarette smoke. It seems to start again.

Charlotte,

I was touched by your invitation

I was happy to receive your invitation

I

I’m not the type to be shy about my feelings, but I can’t figure you out. Do you dislike me? That’s fine. Do you like me back? Is this how you show it? I can’t figure it out. So tell me. There’s no point in my courting you, if you don’t feel the same way.

It’s just troublesome then.

And awkward.

I should make Asta write this letter.

There is no more space for text. The paper is not very high quality, and so the ink has sunk also to the other side. There is an attempt at writing again, but it is too hard to read. The crumpled sentiments of writing one’s feelings to a letter have been left in the wastebasket. There are other papers there - paid bills and cigarette stubs. Practical, abandoned things. The desk near it shows no other attempts of a letter being written. The ink has been closed tightly, and the pen laid next to it with surprising care. There are some signs of preparations for something: a comb and some strange looking gel are next to the mirror. A basin of water that has slightly splashed over is at its feet, as well as a towel. Another attempt, though this time not a literary one, discarded and abandoned. In the common room, beautiful roses have been put in a vase. They match the colour of the sofa. Rain knocks against the windows, growing ever stronger and stronger. It sees an umbrella lying next to the door, dark and simple. Discarded and abandoned in hopes of a non-rainy day. The rain sees and therefore rains twice the harder. Perhaps it is out of malice - or perhaps a good wish on the date-that-is-not-a-date?

Somewhere far away, a man reaches instinctively to his pocket, searching for a letter. He is slightly touched by the rain, but not soaked. His back aches a little from the position he had to walk in. He hadn’t carried anyone for a while. He admires a beautiful rose, never forgetting that even its thorns carry its beauty.

This rose is just hard to figure out.

He hopes he can figure it out.

[succulentsunrise]

How Sweet

- innocent hesitance, lingering longing.

My piece for the YamiChar Week, Day 6: Sweet! It is both a stand-alone and a continuation to my previous YamiChar Week fics!! 🥰

Day 5 | All | Day 7

The fireplace crackled slightly as the fires devoured the wood. Charlotte Roselei was sitting in an armchair, legs crossed and slightly leaning to her right hand. A little smile played on her lips as she sat there, the other hand holding a cup of rum. In the corner of the room, a grandfather clock rang. Her gaze strayed to it lazily - it was already an hour over midnight. The darkness behind the windows was slightly abated by the outdoor lights. The only pity in that was the fact that she couldn’t see the stars like this. Charlotte raised her cup a bit closer to her lips, stopping to lean her cheek on her hand. It would be impossible anyways to see the stars. It was still raining. She took a sip, crinkling her nose a little as the hot rum hit her tongue. She had maybe added a little too much honey.

“Hot,” she complained to the other person in the room.

On the opposite side, sitting legs wide and leaning to his thighs, was Yami Sukehiro. He had a small knitted shawl on his shoulders to keep him warm. He held the cup with both of his hands, and gently blew on it as if in response to her complaint.

“Never had watered down rum, but thanks,” Yami said with a rough voice. “Would’ve been a bother to turn back home at this time.”

“It’s not just water,” Charlotte laughed. “It makes it warm. Good for preventing a cold.”

Yami gave her a suspicious glance, but tasted the drink nonetheless. His expression didn’t change much. She wondered if he had liked it. Perhaps it had been too sweet, after all.

“It’s alright.”

The admittance came slowly and tiredly. Yami looked ready to go to sleep. Charlotte smiled at him, feeling in her heart a softness grow. He looked rather cute like this. It was probably the previous wine talking in her head. She hadn’t drank that much, but she was a lightweight, after all. She would have to find a room for Yami to sleep in. Her heart leapt at the thought of having him sleep near her room. Her thoughts strayed to imagine him sleeping next to her - feeling his stubble against her head - pressing her face against his neck - having those arms embrace her - oh, it was too much. Fanciful thoughts that brought a red shame to her cheeks. She chuckled nervously to herself, hoping that Yami would think it was just her being tipsy. Such thoughts were really too much.

“What’s so funny?” Yami asked with an earnest stare.

“I thought of a joke,” Charlotte answered quickly.

“Oh. Do share.”

Charlotte laughed nervously again, quietly putting down her drink. A joke - quickly, she needed to think of a joke. Something about rain? Rum? Love? Her mind ran blank. No matter how much she tried to come up with a joke, she couldn’t find one. She hoped that Yami wouldn’t see through her lie.

“Oh, I forgot it,” she said with an embarrassed tone, looking away.

Charlotte heard Yami sigh, and could feel his eyes studying her. She drank more to hide her nervousness. The strong flush on her cheeks seemed to be here to stay. She decided to divert the conversation elsewhere.

“I’ll give you a spare room, but we’ll have to prepare it ourselves. No one’s awake anymore.”

“Ourselves?” Yami inquired.

“Of course I’ll help you.”

“How sweet.”

Charlotte pushed herself up clumsily. How sweet, indeed.

“Come then,” she beckoned, starting to lead Yami towards the rooms.

The one she had ended up with was far away from prying eyes - still a room, but a bit further away. Away from her own room, too. Was she trying to hide Yami’s presence here? Yes. She didn’t want questions. How would that make Yami feel..? She didn’t know. Would he even care? He didn’t seem like that kind of a guy. Still, he might be hurt by it. Perhaps she could tell him it was for his sake, to save him from the gossip that her girls sometimes got into. So far, he hadn’t questioned, luckily. She picked up linens on the way, taking unreasonably long trying to decide which ones would fit well together. Yami was silent most of it. They entered the room together. It was a lovely room with a classy bed, rather sizable wardrobe and a small fireplace to warm it up.

“You might want to burn some wood to warm up the room,” Charlotte remarked. “If you can stay awake that long.”

Yami shook his head, his eyes appraising everything around before he spoke.

“That puffy blanket should be quite enough.”

They set up the bed together, dividing the tasks. Charlotte could see him sometimes shiver a little bit. Really, the man was impossible. A fire would warm this room much better, even if he’d have to stay awake a little longer.

“I’ll light the fire,” she said softly, turning towards the fireplace.

An arm caught hers, and Yami pulled her closer to him. The softness in her heart was replaced by surprise, and then - embarrassment. He was so close. Her head was tilted upwards, looking up to him. His breath smelled sweet and smoky. It wasn’t the best, but Charlotte was certain her own breath wasn’t any better. His eyes moved slightly, searchingly. She couldn’t even swallow down her nervousness. Her heart was beating fast. She almost felt like she had stopped breathing.

“There’s no need,” Yami said silently, perhaps softer than he had intended.

His eyes fell down just a bit, and Charlotte mirrored the act. Her gaze landed on his lips. Her stream of thoughts had stopped at this moment. She didn’t quite know what to do or what would be proper. She wanted to rise to her toes to reach the man’s face and press her lips against his. She wanted to wrap her arms around his neck and embrace him. She wanted no more and no less.

“Good night.”

Yami’s voice was hushed. The gaze had returned to meet hers, and there was gentle stubbornness in them. He looked almost regretful as he leaned in and pressed a kiss onto her cheek. His hand barely caressed her cheek. Charlotte stared for but a second, then looked down, flushed.

“Good night.”

Her own answer was perhaps more laced with disappointment. She turned to leave, hoping that the arm would stop her again.

It didn’t.

Charlotte walked back to her room, feeling suddenly very tired. She didn’t feel like she had energy to consider what had happened very realistically. Instead, she thought of the stubble scratching against her cheek, the soft and sweet touch of his lips on her cheek, and the burst of happiness it had brought to her.

In the morning, she might regret it, but at that very moment, Charlotte Roselei was rather happy.

[succulentsunrise]

Conversations in the rain

- or perhaps, simple homesickness.

My piece for the YamiChar Week, Day 4: Family! It is both a stand-alone and a continuation to my previous YamiChar Week fics 🥰 If you want to check them out, see the directory below!

For mood music, I recommend this rain track.

Day 3 | All | Day 5

Two figures sat under the cover of an abandoned stall. The forest around them was dark and noisy: the rain poured down with almost aggressive force. It would only be a matter of time before it would calm down - or so they thought. Charlotte Roselei, dressed rather formally and having removed her high heels, hugged her knees closer to her. It was rather cold like this, and the way back to the base was still rather long. Yami Sukehiro sat alongside her. He had carried her this far, but they both had drank enough to be slightly tipsy, and so they were taking a break. The Capital and its bright lights were behind them. Now there was just the sounds of rain hitting the canvas of the stall and dripping to the grass, as well as the occasional sounds of animals. In a way, it was peaceful. Sobering. Charlotte rubbed her hands together a little. She should’ve taken the different coat - the warmer one.

“Well, we’re well stuck in this rain,” Yami commented next to her, and lit a cigarette.

Charlotte nodded, looking around them. She was alone with Yami in a secluded spot. The warmth in her belly was turning cold - the alcohol had stopped warming her. Similarly, her courage was fading...

“It’s at least pretty,” she answered quietly.

“Reminds me of home, a little,” Yami said, surprising her.

Charlotte didn’t often hear Yami talk about his home. His family. In fact, she couldn’t remember hearing anything about it at all. He had always been known as a foreigner - his odd behaviour and speech had given that out early. She didn’t quite want to pry. Yet it was an interesting topic. Perhaps she could learn more about him. She started carefully.

“The rain?”

“No - squatting in the middle of nowhere while waiting for rain to end.”

There was a moment of silence, as Yami blew some of the smoke in the air. Charlotte watched his pondering eyes, fixed into the rainy sky. They were dark and somehow disquieting.

“Rain is good when fishing. That’s what my parents taught me, at least. Go fish when it rains. Preferably a little before. But I wasn’t fishing. I was running in the forest, playing and avoiding my responsibilities, y’know.”

Charlotte nodded her head. This wasn’t anything she knew about, so she was content to listen. Yami took a drag of his cigarette. She thought it was maybe a habit of his - a way to get a space to think about something. Taking that inhale of smoke and exhaling it gave him a pause. His fingers were lazily twiddling with the lid of the box of cigarettes.

“Then rain came, and I was far from home. I found shelter in a small shrine. They are not meant for small boys to hide in, and my mother had told me horrifying stories of what happens to those who disturb the shrines. I was naturally a little displeased by the fact. In the end I decided to just run home and risk getting sick.”

“Did you get sick?” Charlotte inquired softly.

Yami shrugged and gave a lopsided smirk.

“Don’t remember. Maybe? I remember that my mother reprimanded me, but she had prepared me a warm bath and warm food. I was very thankful for that.”

“That does sound nice,” Charlotte smiled. “She sounds like a very caring mother.”

“Yeah, well,” Yami started, but didn’t finish the sentence.

He simply shook his head and coughed a bit. A more distant look had come to his face. Charlotte wanted to reach out to him, but she didn’t know if he was just tired or homesick. Was there anything to be comforted?

“It must’ve been a different kind of life than here,” she said instead.

“Yes. I assume your childhood was not spent running around forests, princess?”

Charlotte shook her head and hugged her knees a little closer to herself. She remember closed walls and endless studies. It was quite the opposite.

“No. My family worried more about the--well, you know.”

“The thorn curse?”

Yami’s voice was relaxed, almost lazy, but his eyes had sharpened and returned to Charlotte. She assented quietly.

“They love me terribly.”

The sentence hid behind it more than that - Charlotte remembered the scared whispers and her own insistence of dealing with it all alone. She had never really shaken that desire to be in complete control. To be perfectly powerful on her own. No one would have to fear the curse again. Whether Yami noticed or not, he didn’t pursue it. Charlotte shivered again slightly.

“It’s getting too cold to sit still,” Yami remarked, crumbling his cigarette to a wet patch of grass nearby. He stomped on it a few times.

Charlotte didn’t have any arguments against leaving. She knew it meant that she’d get to be closer to Yami again, and Yami was mostly warm. The umbrella they had discarded nearby was picked up again, and the two continued on their journey.

The rain followed them all the way to the Blue Rose’s Headquarters, never giving them an inch of clear skies. At the doors, Charlotte turned to Yami, smiling tiredly. He was looking already back into the road, thinking of his way home.

“You could stay here,” Charlotte suggested, her usual inhibitions having been washed away with the rain.

Yami looked at her, then to the road, and then to the door. With a grunt and a shrug, he accepted.

[succulentsunrise]

Easier Done than Said

- some things stay difficult no matter what

My last piece for the YamiChar Week, Day 7: combining Farewell and the Day After! It is both a stand-alone and a continuation to my previous YamiChar Week fics!! 🥰

Day 6 | All | Day 1

A small ray of light escaped the curtain of grey clouds. A bird song broke the silence of the cold morning. Charlotte Roselei got up from her bed mechanically, rubbing her eyes. A sharp pain in her head made her grumble underneath her breath. She had stayed up way too late yesterday. She walked lazily to the bathroom to wash her face and prepare for the day, as was her habit. Her nose tickled a little. Yesterday’s rain had had some effect on her, clearly. Charlotte sighed. Her gaze strayed to the window for a brief moment, noting the slowly emerging sun.

Farewell rain, she thought joyfully. Welcome sun.

Charlotte put her clothes on thoughtfully. She hadn’t quite forgotten that Yami Sukehiro was staying the night at the base. She had stuffed him far away from the girls, but still - she’d have to deal with that. They had come together in…

Hopefully no one had seen that. Charlotte cursed herself a little. She should’ve let Yami go home that night. He had walked her home like a gentleman, and she had been tipsy, and she had made a fool of herself. For a ruffian, he had been rather polite. With a shake of her head, Charlotte left her room. She would see him off and then start her day. The corridor was lively with the sounds of the squad members getting ready. Charlotte smiled a little as she listened to the homely sounds. Someone asking for a chapstick, someone questioning who last borrowed her backpack.

“Captain?” a voice stopped Charlotte in her tracks.

She looked questioningly at the young woman in front of her, dressed in the uniform and hair in a messy bun.

“Are there any new missions for today?”

Charlotte smiled warmly at the enthusiastic girl.

“Let me get to my desk first, Selena,” she reprimanded gently. “Have you eaten breakfast yet?”

“Not yet, mom,” the girl teased, bowing her head slightly and ducking out of the way.

“Don’t call me that!” Charlotte shouted after her, but the smile stayed.

Charlotte’s thoughts turned to breakfast. She should get Yami some. He shouldn’t eat in the common room with the girls, probably. The gossip would just grow and grow. Unfortunately, such a thought was way too late - as Charlotte arrived in the common dining room, she saw many of her squad members as well as Yami eating there. Her whole body went rigid. The turning gazes of her squad were filled with glittering stars and brimming questions. Those that loved gossip - no matter their gender - were looking at her with curiosity. Her and Yami. The man himself was eating with apparently no concept of the energy in the room. He seemed only roused by the sudden silence, turning to look at her. A dumb, wide smile spread on his face as he lifted a hand.

“Yo!” Yami greeted and beckoned her over.

Charlotte stood still, trying to steady her beating heart. Embarrassment burned in the pit of her stomach. Oh, she wanted him out as fast as possible. She took a careful step forward.

“Captain Sukehiro,” she addressed him formally in her embarrassment.

Yami tilted his head.

“Well aren’t we formal this morning,” he commented.

“Isn’t it time for you to leave?” Charlotte replied awkwardly.

Yami took another bite of a toast, as if hurrying to finish. Charlotte stood by the door, waiting, glaring at her subordinates. They got the hint slowly, turning back to their meals and whispering. Standing there felt like an eternity to her. He ate so slowly - though it was a ridiculous thought in itself. How dare he eat properly instead of wolfing it down like a barbarian? For once, he was behaving, and she was still critical of him! Charlotte frowned tiredly. The headache and this were not a good combination. Eventually, Yami stood up and walked to her.

“Come then, you’ll see me to the door?”

Charlotte nodded, gesturing the way to go. They walked side by side towards the entrance hall of the base.

“Did you sleep well?” Charlotte questioned quietly.

“It wasn’t like the bed at home, but it was fine.”

“Good.”

Yami glanced at her, stretching his arms.

“I get it, I’m embarrassing you. You don’t want me here.”

The accusation made Charlotte jump a little. She looked away in slight shame. That was not the truth, but - but she didn’t have the words she needed to explain. She wanted Yami here, but it was against the perfection that she strove towards. He wasn’t perfect. He was strong, he was reliable, he was many things, but he wasn’t perfect. How could she be seen with someone like him after all the things she had taught her squad? How could she be a hypocrite like that?

“That’s not it,” Charlotte muttered unconvincingly.

Yami didn’t answer. She wasn’t sure if he hadn’t taken it personally. His face, as much as she dared to peek, was rather inscrutable. They arrived at the entrance hall, where Charlotte handed to Yami the umbrella he had brought with him. She stepped outside with him, glancing at the rose gardens. She started to speak again, trying to be more convincing, but he managed to speak first.

“Oh, I forgot,” Yami muttered, turning back towards her.

Charlotte stared at him expectantly.

“There was something I was supposed to tell you.”

“Yes--?”

Charlotte didn’t quite manage to finish her question, as soft lips gently pressed against hers. For a moment, she tasted something sweet. For a moment, her eyes closed and her hands didn’t know where to be. When she opened her eyes again, she only saw his retreating back, and a hand waving goodbye. Charlotte leaned against the nearby wall, staggered by the experience. Her head felt light-headed - her lips yearned more - and her cheeks were properly flushed. She didn’t quite know what to do, other than watch him walk away. Yami tilted his head back a bit, enough for Charlotte to spot a knowing grin on his face.

What an infuriating man!

Charlotte sighed and collected herself. She amended the statement in her head a bit.

What a man.

She turned on her heels and went back inside the base. If anyone had witnessed what had happened, they were remarkably quiet about it. Charlotte managed to walk all the way to her desk without being bothered. Reaching it, she sighed again.

Some things were hard to say.

Some were just easier to do.

Maybe next time she’d be the one to kiss him.

[yamicharweek]

Yamichar week starts on Sunday!!!! Are you ready??

[yamicharweek]

The day has come! It's already August 10th so here we go!

We're starting with the rules:

*our tags on tumblr will be #yamichar week and #yamichar week 2021 [not together (#yamicharweek and #yamicharweek2021 ➡ these tags are for twitter)]

The date of the celebration of yamichar week will be September 12th-18th!!

These are the prompts:

As you can see, we've decided to have some options in each day except for the second one, so if you don't like one option you can pick other 💕

Don't forget to spread the word and tell your friends about yamichar week!

We hope you guys can participate, we really think this is an important event for our favourite black clover ship and for the fandom in general

Rebloggs are highly appreciated!

Credits of all images: @lullabyyyy04 (thanks so much for your hard work!)

[crazyclownthanos]

Silence

Helloo my sunshine’s!!! so it’s either yamichar, or black clover week 2021 and i couldn’t really make up my mind so why not label this story as contribution to both :p

• • •

Something undeniable, something extraordinary, something that always managed her calm down.

People say that the blue sky would calm them down. This wasn’t in Charlotte’s case at all. It was the rain that calmed her down. Hearing raindrops fall from the sky before coming into touch with the ground always amused her in a way nobody could understand, well not nobody, Yami Sukihero was that somebody who would understand why the rain would always calm Charlotte down.

A few months after Hikari’s birth Charlotte hadn’t been sleeping for days, it was all an emotional rollercoaster for her, nonetheless she was grateful towards her squad, and Yami’s for being so considerate and offering their help.

the memories came all flushing back. The elf invasion. The Spade war. Traveling to his home country felt like it all happened not so long ago.

“Charlotte?”

She hadn’t notice her husband tapping her on the shoulder for the past few minutes. Holding her leg up as she sit comfortably in her short night dress and, he only suited a robe while a cigarette continued to sit in his mouth.

“Dear what did I say smoking about in the house?”

“Y’know haven’t been smoking since you pushed Hikari out, you have to give me kudos for that.”

He placed the tea tray on the coffee table prior to him stretching his arms out in the meantime wrapping an arm around his wife and pulling her in for kiss, to which she gladly replied with a press of her own.

“Your lucky that I love you.”

“And you should be lucky that our daughter has my lovely genes.” Yami let out a chuckle while she merely sighed. Picking her saucer up she was going to blow the steam away ante to Yami taking the saucer out of her hands and blowing the steam away himself then giving it back to her.

“Yami I really appreciate this, but you don’t always have to gestures as such as these.” She replied more softly.

“I know. But you held pride and joy in for nine months, it’s only best I treat my prickly princess, like a prickly queen.”

Hearing the nickname he once used back when they were in their late 20s made the entirety of her face become a crimson mess.

Blowing the steam away from his tea cup he took a sip, to what he hummed very positive

“Gotta give it to you Charlotte, you mom buys some heck of a tea.”

“She’s been the same tea since she’s had me, so after I had Hikari I thought why not carry the tradition?”

“Very thoughtful of you dear.” He leaned in to plant a kiss on her forehead.

“Y-Your tense, aren’t you.”

Yami replied by raising his eyebrow.

“How so?”

Ever since the new emerged nine months that she was pregnant she immediately demanded Yami to teach her to read Ki in case of someone harming her baby. Wasn’t as fast as how Asta learned it, more or less.

“Well…” He sighed as he pushed his hair back.

“I’m worried about those dumb idiots.”

She shrugged before opening her mouth. “Dear I’m sure Hikari is fine with them.”

“Not my point. It’s about who will be the captain after the kid.”

Facing him now she looked kinda star-stuck…?!

“How so? Shouldn’t that be Asta’s choice.”

“You’ve seen the kid before Charlotte, he’s a complete nuisance…and I felt responsible as the founder to have some say.”

Yami?! Responsible?! Those two words aren’t synonyms that for sure.

“Well.”

Slipping her slender through his arm to firmly place her hand into his.

“That’s not my call to make at all, you need to step up as a captain and make that call, who will have guts, to have self-determination, and have the ability to bring your squad to their full potential.”

“Tsk. The only person you draw to with those qualities isn’t even a member of my squad.”

“Who is it then?”

“That happy-go-lucky clover elite with the dragon magic, I’m giving myself a headache.”

Listening to Yami complaining about a headache made her laugh.

“Push past your limits Mr Roselei I’m sure you’ll remember eventually.” It was her turnt to plant a kiss on his cheek.

“Hey no Mrs Sukehiro are you trying to use my own saying on me?”

“As a matter of fact yes I am.”

Hands suddenly on the waist he pulled her in and began to tickle her all over, it was often they would have tickle fight, she tried to fight back but he had such a grip on her it felt nearly impossible too.

This went on for a couple of minutes, when all of a sudden she heard the rain becoming more and more louder.

Sitting up Yami made a remark.

“Great how are we suppose to get Hikari home?” Sitting up herself she placed a finger on his lips.

“We’ll worry about that later. For now let’s enjoy this silence.”

And so they did.

[yamicharweek]

On August 10th we will be announcing the rules and prompts for those who want to participate in yamichar week, which will be published on our tumblr and twitter official pages

Credits: @lullabyyyy04

Rebloggs are highly appreciated!