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ryqoshay · 4 years

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How to Handle a Nico - Sunscreen

Primary Pairing: NicoMaki Words: ~1.8k Rating: T’ish? Time Frame: Summer break of Maki’s 2nd year of high school and Nico’s 1st year of college. Story Arc: "Beach Reunion" Sunscreen The No. 1 Masseuse in the Universe

Author’s Note: “Ladies and gentlemen of the class of ‘97: Wear sunscreen.” - Mary Schmich

Sorry, couldn’t help that; it remains one of my favorite inspirational things and I listen to Baz Luhrmann’s version of it when I’m feeling down.

In any case, neither Nico nor Maki are of the class of ‘97, but they nonetheless know the importance of wearing sunscreen. And that is the topic of this scene, as if the title didn’t give that away already.

ARISEfan1: SUMMER REUNION TIME!!!

ARISEfan1: lets go to the beach!

NyaCat: the beach!

ARISEfan1: lets go swimming!

NyaCat: lets play volleyball!

LittleBirb: Let’s have a water gun fight!

ARISEfan1: no training allowed!

SonodaUmi: I didn’t say anything about training…

ARISEfan1: but i bet you were gonna!

RiceQueen: I’d like to split a watermelon

Niconii: That’s if I let you!

Elichika: We’re not recreating our PV, Nico

Niconii: Well why not?

Niconii: That was fun!

NishikinoMaki: You’re just saying that because you were the center

Niconii: That’s not true!

Niconii: And you know it, Maki-chan

Niconii: Nico knows how much fun Maki-chan had

Niconii: Nico also knows Maki-chan keeps those sunglasses as a memento

NishikinoMaki: Yes I still have them

NishikinoMaki: So what?

NishikinoMaki: You want to fight about it?

Elichika: Please don’t

Elichika: At least not in the main chatroom

SpiritualPower: Exactly. If you’re going to flirt, you should do so in person

NishikinoMaki: We’re not flirting!

Niconii: We’re not flirting!

Niconii: Geez, Nozomi

Niconii: Anyway, we could have fireworks again

NyaCat: fireworks nya!

ARISEfan1: fireworks!

SpiritualPower: Or we could sulk off to the side with a book

NishikinoMaki: What the heck?

NishikinoMaki: I wasn’t sulking then!

SpiritualPower: Oh?

SpiritualPower: I don’t recall saying you were, Maki-chan

Elichika: Nozomi…

ARISEfan1: ne makichan

ARISEfan1: can we us your vacation home again?

SonodaUmi: Honoka, we can’t always be asking Maki for such things

NishikinoMaki: Probably

NishikinoMaki: I’ll ask Mama

NishikinoMaki: One moment

NishikinoMaki: She said it’s fine

Niconii: That was quick

ARISEfan1: Woo!

Elichika: Even us?

NishikinoMaki: Of course you and Nozomi and Nico-chan

NishikinoMaki: It wouldn’t be much of a µ’s reunion without you

ARISEfan1: exactly!

ARISEfan1: we need everyone together!

ARISEfan1: µ’s beach reunion start!

“What’s wrong, Maki-chan?” Nico asked the redhead displaying a sour expression as she rummaged through her bag.

The group had arrived at the vacation home not too long ago and Honoka immediately insisted everyone change and head to the beach. So here they were, already listening to the waves on the shore and feeling the fresh breeze coming in from the sea. Umbrellas and chairs were being set up, as was a net for volleyball, but the redhead seemed preoccupied with something not directly involved with the rest of the group; as per usual.

“I can’t…” Maki replied, opening another area.

“You can’t…?”

“I… ughn…” Maki growled as she rezipped the pocket. “I can’t find my sunscreen.”

“I guess it can’t be helped.” Nico sighed. “Nico will let you use hers.”

“Really?” The younger girl looked up, all traces of frustration already evaporating. “Thanks, Nico-chan.”

By the gods, she’s cute. Nico willed her heart not to leap out of her chest at the sight of the sparkling violet eyes. And to avoid being too blatant in her reaction, she quickly switched to teasing mode. “But only under one condition.”

“Huh?”

“Nico will apply it for Maki-chan.”

“Alrigh… Eh?” Suddenly, Maki’s eyes widened and she recoiled. “Buweehh?! A-A-All of… of… uwehhh…” She sputtered, looking down at herself as her cheeks flared a brilliant crimson.

Nico couldn’t help letting her own gaze be drawn along. Oh… “Y-You’re back!” She quickly corrected. “Just your back! Maki-chan is certainly capable of applying it to her arms and legs and such, but one’s own back is hard to reach. And an idol’s skin is an important asset, so she has to ensure proper protection. And Nico is offering her services for that. Maki-chan should be grateful.”

Still blushing, Maki managed a fairly convincing deadpan glare at Nico and reached for the bottle. She then flipped the cap and squeezed some into her palm before beginning to apply it to her arm. For her part, Nico watched quietly as Maki finished her arms and moved to her shoulders. Then her clavicle, neck and down…

Nico swallowed. Oh gods, don’t stare. She quickly averted her gaze. After what felt like an appropriate amount of time, she glanced back at the other girl. Maki was sitting in an awkward position, utilizing none of the flexibility she had earned through her school idol training as she spread sunscreen up her calves, thighs and… Damn… Nico had to look away again.

“Here.” Maki stated a few moments later.

“Thanks.” Nico replied, finding a bottle being held out toward her. “Now turn around.”

“Mmm…” Maki hummed, doing as instructed, but then lay down on her towel.

Holy… Nico swallowed again as she took in the sight before her. It felt like it had been forever since last she had seen Maki in a swimsuit, or anything form fitting or anywhere near this revealing. And while she hadn’t forgotten, seeing her again, this close and about to… She was really going to do this, wasn’t she?

“Nico-chan?” Maki propped herself up on her elbows and glanced back at the older girl.

“Sorry, one sec.” Nico quickly upturned the bottle and squeezed some lotion into her hand.

Maki raised an eyebrow but remained quiet for a moment before turning back away.

Nico closed her eyes and took one more second to mentally prepare herself before reaching forward to…

“Kyaa!” Maki’s shoulders scrunched up as soon as contact was made.

“Relax, Maki-chan.” Nico soothed. Yes. You relax too, Nico. It’s no big deal. It’s just sunscreen… on Maki-chan’s back… and… oh gods…

“Your hands are cold.” The redhead complained.

“Sorry.” The raven-haired girl replied. They’ll be warm in moment… She added silently, feeling her heart pound as it sent blood and heat thundering through her veins. “Hmm…”

“Mmm?”

“Maki-chan has really smooth skin…” Jeez, don’t just leave it at that! She’ll get the wrong idea! “You’ve obviously been taking good care of it.”

“Of course. Isn’t Nico-chan the one who is always saying this and that about idols and their skin and hair and whatnot?”

“You’ve been listening.” Nico couldn’t help feeling a bit of pride as she moved her hands down.

“Well, ye…”

Maki moaned.

Nico froze.

Maki’s hands flew to her mouth.

Nico yanked her hands away from Maki’s waist as though from a scalding stove before glancing around to see if anyone else had heard. Immediately, she spotted Nozomi smirking at her. Damn. Of course, it would be her. Of course. Why would the fates allow it to be anyone else? Or nobody, for that matter? Nico began dreading the teasing that would inevitably come.

“M-Maki-chan” Nico tried to break the mounting tension “I’m just applying sunscreen, not giving you a deep tissue massage.”

“…” Though Nico couldn’t see, there was little doubt in her mind that Maki’s cheeks matched her hair at that moment.

“But if Maki-chan insists,” Nico continued in a singsong voice that felt more forced than she hoped it sounded “Nico is the No.1 Masseuse in the Universe, so she’s willing to offer a super special Nico-nii massage. And at the low, low price of one tutoring session from the super smart Maki-chan.”

“… Idiot…” Maki muttered, her face still buried in her towel, though her shoulders started to relax a bit.

“You like it.”

“… Maybe…”

“Anyway,” Nico said, applying more sunscreen to her hands before placing them once again on the other girl’s back “the offer is open. Maki-chan has obviously been spending far too much time hunched over her books as she studies for cram school.”

“But…”

“Nico can feel it in the knots Maki-chan is getting from the combined stress and bad posture.” Nico already knew at least half of the excuses the younger girl might have offered had she not cut her off. “And since Nico knows Maki-chan is not going to change her study habits anytime soon, the least she can do is help ease a bit of this stiffness.” She emphasized the point by pushing at one of the knots, earning a hiss from Maki.

“… Alright…”

“And that should do it.”

“Thanks, Nico-chan.” Maki said, pushing herself up to sit onto her knees. “Do you, uhm, want me to do you?” She shook her head. “You’re back, I mean?”

Yes! Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes! “Sure.”

Maki gave a nod, scooted off the towel and motioned for Nico to take her place.

“One sec.” Nico held out her hand to prevent the other girl from taking the sunscreen. “Let me get my arms and stuff first.”

“Alright.”

Nico couldn’t help being keenly aware of Maki’s gaze as she began applying the lotion to herself. Was Maki staring because she liked what she saw or because she had no interest and couldn’t be bothered to expend the energy to look away? The fact that Maki’s blush from earlier hadn’t fully faded made it that much harder to tell if it was current or merely a carryover from earlier. Part of Nico wanted to give in to her self-consciousness and turn away, but the other half wanted to show off to someone she truly wished would find her attractive.

Finally, she finished and took her place on the towel.

“Ah! Maki-chan’s hands are cold.” Nico complained as soon as she felt the other girl’s fingers on her back.

“No they aren’t.” Maki stated flatly.

“And no comment about Nico’s super smooth skin?”

“No.”

“Well, I guess Maki-chan’s hands are warmer than the rest of her.”

Maki merely growled in return but continued spreading the sunscreen.

And by the gods did it feel fantastic. Nico knew exactly why Maki had made such a noise earlier as she held one back of her own. She’d never felt this way with anyone else. Her mother was family and her siblings, while anxious to help, were sloppy, at best, in their application. Nico had been rather indifferent when Eli had helped last summer and was wary of Nozomi’s sneak attacks when she had taken the task.

But Maki was on a whole different level. The pianist’s dexterous digits diligently dispersed the cream evenly in a manner that made Nico wonder what else the girl could do with those fingers. Perhaps she should rethink her massage price and charge one in return instead of tutoring.

Had Maki ever given a massage before? Nico suspected she would be quite good, and even if not, she would likely be a quick learner. Because honestly…

“There we go.” Maki’s voice interrupted Nico’s thoughts.

“Already?” Nico heard herself ask.

“Well, yeah, you don’t want me to overapply it, right?”

“No, I’m sorry, I just, never mind.” Nico shook her head as she pushed herself up. “Wait, overapply? You can’t use too much sunscreen, Maki-chan.”

“You can’t?”

“In fact, most people don’t use enough, or forget to reapply it.”

“Reapply?”

“Every two hours.” Nico confirmed. “C’mon, Maki-chan, an idol should know these things.”

“So, we need to do this again in two hours?”

“Yup.”

“… I’d…” Maki reached up to twirl her hair “be alright with that…”

Nico grinned. “Then let’s go have some fun with the others.” She stood quickly before offering her hand to help the other girl up.

“Alright.” Maki replied, taking Nico’s hand.

Author’s Notes Continued in Followup Post

#NicoMaki #Nishikino Maki #Yazawa Nico #How to Handle a Nico #Love Live #fanfic

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idkmybff-dennis · 6 years

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#fbf to these sparkers of joy. . . . #filipinofood #chickeninasal #pecho #kinilaw #bagoongrice #mangoandbagoong #ricequeens #lomi #sparkjoy #ethnicfood #chickenatiatihan #nomnomnom (at Chicken Ati-Atihan) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bsg9Nmfnj-X/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=16u6f3ad2svml

#fbf #filipinofood #chickeninasal #pecho #kinilaw #bagoongrice #mangoandbagoong #ricequeens #lomi #sparkjoy #ethnicfood #chickenatiatihan #nomnomnom

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lonelypond · 4 years

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Soldier Game: Operation LA Smile

NicoMaki, Love Live, 5.2K, 1/?

Summary: Soldier Game is called in to protect a team of fashion designers who have been assigned to smuggle scientific data into a hostile United States. Working as models requires a new skillset and Nishikino Maki's first encounter with Yazawa Nico explodes with tension.

ROUND ONE

Sprawling government complex. Full of busy offices, tracking numbers and citizens, calls and meetings being held in a variety of languages. Competent, concerned, efficient bustle. Take a left at the Innovation For A Cool Earth Liaison office, down a very quiet hallway, and take an elevator to the second floor, where the lights were lower, and noises of grunting and bodies falling could be heard. Third door to the right was slightly ajar and inside, Tojo Nozomi, long purple hued hair in a very professional ponytail, had printouts spread all over her desk. And the latest fashion magazines in a row at the top like a barricade. And on her very very secure government issue but Nozomi tweaked to make it even more secure laptop the message from RiceQueen, pleading for help biohacking a prophylactic treatment for the coronavirus. Nozomi’s supervisor stared at her from the doorway.

“Come inside and close the door.” Nozomi shut her laptop, “I’ve read through all the files you had forwarded..

The Deputy Minister nodded and shut and locked the door. “And your conclusion?”

“I think we should go through artistic channels rather than our usual operatives.” Nozomi waved at the chair opposite her.

“What do you mean?”

Nozomi slid a magazine toward the Deputy Minister, open to a page with the latest collection from FeatherSmile Designs. Intricately woven graphene fabric that lit up with neon kanji. “We would have to upgrade their tech, but I think they could carry the message effectively.”

“But they’re not agents. We’d be putting civilians at risk.”

“We give them minimal details and protection. I’d need Soldier Game.”

The Deputy Minister nodded. “They’ve been on standby for months so that wouldn’t be a problem.”

Nozomi glanced at her laptop. “I’ve built a personal relationship with our US contact. I’d like to be involved.”

“That’s unusual.” A tilt back in the chair. Nozomi was starting to lose her audience.

“She’s very skittish.”

“It is difficult to get US visas.”

“For a mini movie in LA? The Governor has negotiated higher threshholds for funded projects. Here’s my plan.” Nozomi handed over a folder that had been marking a particular fashion spread. “We bring FeatherSmile in under the cover of assisting with increasing the positive response to Japanese businesses and citizens. I have a contact in California we’ve used before, Kousaka Honoka.”

The Deputy Minister read the plan over, “Bold thinking, Tojo. May be useful on several fronts. I’m impressed.”

Praise for the obvious wasn’t something Nozomi wasted time over. “People are dying, ma’am. Ignorance and bigotry are on the rise. And someone has asked us for help.”

“So what’s our first step?”

“Contact Yazawa Nico and Minami Kotori. Bring them in. And inform Soldier Game of their new assignment. I’d like to see them on some photoshoots now, rolled out over the next two weeks in separate locations. Maybe one of them vacationing in the middle of celebrities. Send Nishikino for that. She’s got the status.”

The Deputy Minister typed quickly into her phone, “Anything else.”

“I’ll be taking my driver.”

“Of course.”

“I have a list of gear we’ll be needing. I’ll put Sonoda on that and let Rin assist.”

“Then I’ll put Ayase and Nishikino in the field this week while Sonoda preps.”

“Perfect.” Everything on Nozomi’s list had been checked off. Now to talk to the tech team about upgrading FeatherSmile’s textile output.

###

Nishikino Maki, bright red hair under a floppy straw hat, stretched out on the chaise, her book next to her, the sun hot against the skin exposed by her bikini. And then the waiter’s shadow blocked her light. She tipped up the hat, with a snarl, “Just leave it on the table.”

The waiter nodded, placing the tall glass. Maki held up a finger to keep the waiter’s attention, reached over, picked up the glass, and sipped.

“Too salty.’ Maki spat in the sand. A murmur of horror rippled down the row of seats. “Take it back. Tell your master mixologist that Bloody Marys should let the tomato juice shine.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“And you’d better be back here before I finish this chapter.” Maki picked up her book and took her sunglasses off, “Management fires my least favorite employee each and every day. Survival of the fittest.” Maki winked. “Or the cutest.”

Next to Maki, a banking dynasty scion fresh from the London School of Economics rolled her eyes at the vapidness of the idle rich. Nishikino had landed in Hawai’i last Thursday and by the weekend had been spoken of in terror by hotel staff members all across the Big Island.

###

Ayase Eli, blond hair in a tight bun, stretched, laying back across the barre, smiling at the smaller woman waiting next to her. “It’s been too long since I’ve had a job with a full dance studio.”

“Oh, are you a dancer?”

“Trained in Russia.” Eli’s tone was polite enough but something in the icy blue of her eyes encouraged the other woman to shuffle farther down the barre. Eli did another perfect move, “It’s great that dance is having such a strong surge. I’m hoping to get a job on a movie in LA or something.”

“Oh, that’d be cool. It’s hard to get work in the US now, with their strict visa limits.” The smaller dancer moved from first to third position.

Eli leaned forward, relaxing, watching herself in the mirror, “But haven’t you always dreamed about Hollywood?”

“Who hasn’t?” The other dancer dropped into a full plie.

###

Sonoda Umi had the supply list memorized, with her own additions. Soldier Game had their own preferences. Dressed in a simple black pantsuit, light blue shirt, gun holster hidden, Umi swiped the pattern that opened the door for her. A clerk greeted her.

“Sonoda-san.”

Umi glanced at the nametag, “Fujioka-san. Please inform Tojo-san that I will meet her driver in the Armory.”

A bow and Umi moved through the checkpoint. That was one of Umi’s favorite things about having to work from Headquarters. There were no unnecessary conversations, everyone prided themselves on efficiency and detachment, Umi felt not at home, but at work. Which was one of Umi’s more productive places. And Umi’s productive places were Umi’s happy places.

###

Yazawa Nico swivelled her chair, forcing her eyes away from the multiple screens in front of her. “Nico knows the computer’s doing most of the work, but…” Nico shook her head, “This much information is making Nico’s brain hurt.”

Minami Kotori, in a custom made Rumi Rock yukata, was pinning fabric to a dressmaker’s dummy. “Take a break. We can finish programming the looms later.”

“Nah.” Nico shook herself, slapping her face, “Sooner we get it done, sooner we can cut the garments. Did we get the model measurements?”

Kotori nodded, “All the details. Did you see the pictures?”

Nico closed her eyes, yes, she’d seen the pictures, but how do you...then Kotori interrupted her with a giggle, “I’ve been having the most...exquisite dreams.”

Nico decided a change of topic was her best strategy before Kotori breached TMI territory.

“Anything we make will drape well.”

“And practically drip off.” Kotori giggled.

Nico refused to be lured to after hours chatter. “I think the redhead would look great in that lilac twisted tweed you showed me.”

“Ooohh, it would really bring out the lavender in her eyes. Tweeds will also easily disguise any patterning.”

“Yeah, if we use the free color slot to match their individual eye colors…”

“Oh, I can see it,” Kotori stepped over to her drafting table, swift strokes creating three almost capes, Nico guessed from her distant, odd angle.

“So we’re going with a Fall/Winter book?”

“Would you rather see them model bikinis?” Kotori asked wistfully.

Nico dropped her head to her clasped hands, exhaling. What the hell kind of trap question was that to ask a respectful, modern woman so so gay she can’t stop thinking about her new co workers playing nude beach volleyball? There was no safe answer.

“This is so much flashier and more complicated than our usual drop jobs. Can’t we just…” Nico really needed a steady girlfriend so she wouldn’t get preoccupied by random curves.

Kotori frowned, she’d had a late night conversation with their international headquarters. “Command thinks this ask is a mole trying to get information about our operations.”

“Damn. So flashy it is. All personality. Nico nico ni.” Nico, hands raised to her temple, smiled, then sighed, shrewd glance meeting her partner’s.

“Yeah.” Kotori bit the air.

New information absorbed and back on task, Nico considered the juxtaposition of life saving science and sexy swimsuits. Too distracting. But then again, no one would believe it was about anything but pretty women in pretty clothing. Everyone underestimated pretty women. And none of the models were shy about their assets, from the pics Nico had seen.

“Bikinis. Nico just thinks no one will notice the thin pinstripes are actually graphene circuits if they have those models to look at.” Plus, if Soldier Game was investigating them, that little fabric would make guns or recording devices harder to conceal.

Kotori raised an eyebrow at Nico, “You always have the best ideas, Nico.” A few quick adjustments with her pencil and the capes become beach covers, in linen, not tweed, “Ready to wear, on demand we are. With reclaimed fabric. Eco friendly.”

“Eco sexy.” Nico snapped her fingers.

“Sexy sexy” Kotori giggled.

Nico decided a mutual review of their corporate sexual harassment policy was a very necessary next step.

###

Umi stopped, pivoted on her heel and glared over packed duffle bags at the short, energetic ginger haired woman bouncing down the hall after her.

“Let me help, Sonoda-chan.”

“Everything is wrong with that.” Umi stated through gritted teeth.

The ginger shrugged, mischief flicking in chartreuse eyes, “You won’t let me call you Umi-chan.”

“Hoshizora-san.” Umi stated deliberately, as an example, “Perhaps I could speak to your direct report.”

“Nozomi-chan? Oh sure, she always loves it when I stop by her office. She’ll have tea ready and we can talk about what I found out about…”

Umi stopped the spread of information as quickly as she could. “Where is Tojo-san’s office?”

“Right this way.” Hoshizora sped down the hall. Umi briefly wondered if the cat like gimmicky gestures were the actual result of some kind of genetic experiment with cheetahs, but surely there would have been more rumors. Hoshizora skipped -- skipped?!?!?! -- through a door and Umi increased her pace to catch up. Pausing, she knocked, but the door was ripped open, the mini cheetah hybrid speaking to someone inside, “Sonoda-chan wants to see you, Nozomi-chan. She doesn’t like…”

Umi stepped inside the room, stern. “I can speak for myself.”

Tojo was dressed appropriately for the office, in a dark suit, unlike her driver’s Nadeshiko Japan soccer jersey and jean shorts, exuded polite propriety. “Please take a seat, Sonoda-san. How can I help you?”

Hoshizora slid into the chair behind the desk, “Sonoda-chan” Hoshizora winked, “objects to my “‘overt familiarity and lack of respect.””

Nozomi had a slight smile that bordered on a smirk. Umi adjusted her initial impression. She was beginning to suspect that this division was not run to military specs. Nozomi’s voice was a giggly, syrupy mess with hints of rural accent, “Now, now, Lt. Commander, I’m sure you are aware that you will be undercover beginning tomorrow.”

“Of course. I read the dossier.” Umi started to prickle.

“So why do you object to my assistant following my orders that you be eased into a non military environment by ignoring a strict hierarchy.”

Hoshizora, Rin, Umi corrected herself, was rocking the chair back and forth, silently laughing. Umi cleared her throat, “I was not aware those were...Rin’s orders.”

Rin leaned forward, eyes wide, sticking out her tongue.

“Are you going to be aware of everything happening on this mission?” Nozomi asked quickly.

If I can be, Umi’s head went, but she just shook her head in lieu of a verbal reply.

“So, as you are temporarily under my command, you should be aware that I find keeping my charges in a state where they are continually alert leads to the most successful missions. Perhaps not as planned as what you are used to from your time with the Defense Forces, but our skillset needs to be more flexible.” Nozomi tilted her head, almost coquettishly, “Do you understand, Lt. Commander?”

“Of course.” Umi stood at attention, her eyes locking on Rin’s, “Umi will be fine from now on, Rin-san.”

“Rin.”

“Rin.” Umi grinned. Deliberately.

“Good.” Nozomi leaned back against her desk, relaxed, Rin spinning in the desk chair. “And call me Nozomi. Tomorrow, we meet Yazawa and Minami and we need to have our covers locked down.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Nope.” Rin giggled. “You’re slow.

Umi bowed. “My apologies, Nozomi. I won’t let you down.”

“I know you won’t. It’s why I requested your unit.”

Umi hadn’t been aware that the assignment had been an outside request. She’d been too eager to return to the field, even if it involved rather shameless activities. She made a mental note to pay more attention to details. And to cultivate Rin’s acquaintance. She seemed like the detail spilling sort.

“Where’s the tea, Nozomi-chan?” Rin rolled the chair to the credenza under the window.

“Why don’t you take Umi-chan down to the canteen and tell her about our last job.”

“Ooh, that’s a great idea. C’mon Umi, I’ll race you.” And Rin was out the door.

Umi glanced at Nozomi, who shrugged, “Better sprint.”

Umi sighed. So this was a test of physical as well as mental acuity. Fortunately, she had a route to take from here that would be a short cut. Umi headed to the window, raised it and dropped down two stories to the courtyard.

“Unexpected.” Nozomi watched as Umi landed lightly, then raced diagonally toward the kitchen’s loading doors. “Interesting.”

###

Maki Nishikino had never been subject to so much scrutiny. Especially while in this little clothing. The interest in the narrowed ruby eyes was clinical and the fingers that reached out to adjust the bow at her breast were disturbingly impersonal. She reverted to a childhood habit and wrapped her arms around her torso, stepping away from this Yazawa person with a frown.

“This one can’t seem to smile…” “Maki.” Maki snapped and Yazawa raised an eyebrow. “Call me Maki.”

“Maki.” Yazawa bit off every syllable, “doesn’t seem to get sunny or smiling so we’ll have to go for moody sexy on the shoot.” Yazawa stepped back, hands on hips, eyes still roving over Maki’s body in a way that made Maki feel like she was wearing even less. “So either slightly less fabric or a lot more.” “I can smile.” Maki bared her teeth at her antagonist.

Nico shook her head, relaxed her lips in a smile that somehow seemed to make the air glow around her, then called back casually over her shoulder, “Less clothing, maybe lose the top, lots of mood lighting, a fabric that will shimmer. Make a note for the photographer. Cool, wet mystery.”

Maki would have choked when Nico said wet with a smack of her lips but she was fortunately not drinking anything, just reaching out her hand for the water bottle

Now the other designer, Kotori was staring at Maki with speculative, measuring eyes, “Yes, I see what you mean, Nico. Maybe something that looks like washed up on a rocky shore.” “Mermaid? Hmmmm…” Nico gave Maki one more head to toe examination, shrugged, rolled her eyes, and turned away, “Show me a sketch.” Maki pulled on her coverup and retreated to a chair, knees pulled up, trembling with anger and embarrassment. This was not what she expected this assignment to be. Where was someone she could kick? Or suture? Or shoot? Where were Umi and Eli?

Kotori suddenly purred as the door opened, “Oh, hello, Sonoda-san. Welcome to our temporary studio.”

Maki thought studio was a generous description for a grungy boxing gym with a green screen set up in front of the ring.

Umi stepped in, dressed for some reason in her kendo workout gear, while Maki was wearing this wisp of thing that would get washed away in a light swell on a calm lake. Both Nico and Kotori were suddenly all attentive to the newcomer.

Umi, as polite as ever, bowed, “My apologies for my tardiness. One of my students had a minor injury I needed to tend.”

“Are they all right?” Kotori asked.

Umi nodded. “Just a small accident.”

“Good. We had a chance to start with Maki.” Kotori waved a hand in the direction of the chair, “If you’ll follow me into the locker room, I’ll get you suited.

“I am at your command.” Maki snorted, loud enough that Umi would hear so Umi pinched up her lips in a frown at the volume, Maki rolled her eyes and then was distracted by Nico with her hands on the arms of Maki’s chair, “Eyes here, Red.”

Maki was startled and snarled. “What do you want?”

Nico sighed, “Okay, Nico knows your brand is temperamental celebrity and we want other temperamental celebrities to see how all…” Nico flipped her hand dismissively at Maki, “this looks in our swimsuits, but it’ll help if you’re at least polite on the set. Don’t etiquette classes come with the wealth package. Or do you like getting thrown out of countries?”

“I can be civil.” Maki said coldly. “Oh good. Nico can’t wait to hear it. Now can you smile? Watch me.” WIthout even a beat, Nico leaned in, staring deeply into the depths of Maki’s eyes, paused just long enough that Maki’s breath caught, and then hopped back, a manic gleam in her eye and a sunblast of a smile on her face, “Nico Nico Ni needs you to act as pretty as you look.” Then there was a wink and Nico twirled, her back toward Maki and Maki had a minute to recover, “Nico will grab a camera and we’ll try the poses again.”

Maki groaned. Nico heard it and hesitated as she picked up the camera. Nico wasn’t a cruel woman. For all the red carpet photo shoots and TWIG selfies, this would be Nishikino’s first professional photoshoot. Which is part of why Nico was drill sergeanting Maki into the patented, 125% successful Nico Nico Ni practice practice practice mindset. The brat, though attractive in the conventional burn down the seacoast with laser eyes sense, would benefit from the confidence that came from repetition. Nico grabbed her oversized pink hoodie from the director’s chair and as she turned with the camera in hand, she tossed it at Maki, “Put this on.”

Maki hesitated, then shrugged into it, relaxing slightly at the warmth and additional coverage, “Why?” Nico shrugged, “This is just a practice shoot, you don’t need to freeze.”

“How did you?” Maki blushed when Nico raised an eyebrow and flicked her glance to Maki's chest for a second. Maki immediately looked anywhere but Nico, “I can handle it.” “Yep. Sure you can, Ma-ki. But tell the camera that.” “Huh?”

Nico raised the eyepiece, pointing the lens at Maki, “Confront the camera. Nobody worth your time wants passive pretty. We want fight.” Nico chuckled, “Hate hot. Flirt fight.”

“Flirt fight?” Maki said slowly, actually glad for some direction. “With you?” Nico lowered the camera, “With the lens. Nico’s not even here.” She raised her hand in front of her face like a magic trick and then Maki was looking at the lens again. Maybe if she imagined a target?

Nico decided to help, “So what makes you mad?”

Maki’s lip twisted, “Exploitation.”

Fancy word. Nico wondered if that was personal.

“What makes you happy?” Maki shrugged.

Not thrown off by no answer, Nico kept up the patter, Soldier Game needed to up their casual talk game, Nico was doing all the work here. Of course, she was prepared to do all the work. Nico relied on no one.

“Hobbies?” Nico kept moving, her voice even. “Music.” Maki’s posture opened. “I play the piano.” “Nico cooks. Pick up those boxing gloves and put them on.” Commands camouflaged in conversation, after years in the fashion business Nico was a master.

Maki walked over to the table and laced into them.

“Hit the heavy bag.”

This was better, Maki thought as she pounded into the leather, feeling a little like Steve Rogers, stuck in a place he didn’t want to be.

“Classical?”

“Jazz. Spent a lot of time in America, studying…Ellington, Basie, Baker, Chet, and Jospephine, Bessie Smith for the blues…” Maki had an easy rhythm going, hardly noticing Nico clicking away. “Then…” a snarl, “everything got openly toxic for women and Asians so I hit the road.” Good cover, Nico thought. Maki was Soldier Game's American link. “And you know Ayase and Sonoda how?”

“School. Families.” Maki shrugged, “We know the same…” her voice hardened, “people.”

“Got a jazz trio going?” Nico asked lightly. Maki laughed, the mood dispersing, rolling her shoulders and shaking out her arms before attacking the bag again.

“Look at me.” Not a request.

A graceful turn, sharp purple eyes snapped onto Nico, narrowing, curious, alert, cardigan slipping unnoticed off a shoulder, strong legs braced for the next blow.

“Got it.” Nico announced, lowering the camera with a flair.

Maki tilted her head, “Got what?”

“Nishikino Maki.” Nico glanced down at her viewscreen, ruby eyes with a happy twinkle. “I’m about to rethink our whole campaign. Kotori likes sweaty.” Nico froze. Oh damn, she’d better go rescue the kendo champ. “Wait here, Cassius.” And Nico hustled to the dressing room.

###

Kotori was sitting primly, legs crossed, hands folded in her lap, eyes never leaving the muscles on Umi’s back as the other woman changed into the swimsuit Kotori had chosen for her. Nico barrelled through the door, Umi gasped and grabbed for a towel, and Kotori frowned and turned, “Nico, I was concentrating.” “Sure you were. But Nico has this genius idea. I took some pics of Red there,” Nico flicked her thumb back toward where Maki was slouching in the door, “with gloves and my hoodie over the suit and you’ll love the aesthetic. Just take a look. Plus, I ran a quick search on boxers…” “When did you have time?” Maki wondered. “There was a whole hallway; Nico is fast.” Nico slid next to Kotori, “Found Muhamad Ali quotes. One of them is “I’m too fast. I’m too smart. I’m too pretty." And with these three...”

“Nico” Kotori turned, wide eyed, hands reaching for Nico’s while Umi and Maki shared a confused glance, “That’s PERFECT.” “Nico knows.” “People will swoon.” Nico took a quick glance back at Maki, “Nico knows. And Ali's an American icon, so cultural resonance. Coated in pop culture candy."

Kotori stood up, muttering, totally ignoring Umi, who was standing with a towel clasped at breast level offering some cover for her bare torso. “Just a few changes, maybe robes, maybe some of those big, satin shorts, sliding down…” Kotori swept her hand down her hip.

“Nico can see it.” “Now that I’ve seen them I can…” “Yeah, yeah, less talk, we get on a plane in tomorrow, go make magic happen.” Nico shoved Kotori from behind, forcing the designer seamstress into a stumble toward the door. Nico picked up Umi’s shirt from where Kotori had been sitting on it, handing it to the owner with a wink, “You can thank Nico later.”

Umi grabbed on to the lifeline and nodded.

“When Kotori finds you again, tell her Nico’s in the gym, setting up a few things for tomorrow’s shoot.” “Of course, Nico.” Umi buttoned up quickly.

“Thanks, champ.” Nico blew a kiss as she bounded out of the room, past Maki with barely a side glance. Umi chuckled.

“You’re amused?” Shocked, Maki settled across a bench, twirling a curl of hair.

“By Nico?" Umi considered. "Yes. She and Kotori have an interesting working dynamic. Completely different from ours, but just as professional in its own way, I think.”

Maki looked doubtful. “She seems a little flaky.”

“It’s mostly for show.”

“Really?”

“Yes, like when a bird displays its full foliage.”

“To impress someone? With flakiness?” “With energy. Very desirable from a mating perspective.” “You want to ma…” Umi, now flustered, rushed to interrupt Maki’s question, “Birds, birds do such things to attract a mate. I am a complete professional, as always.”

“As expected.” Maki agreed. Umi never cracked. Eli would occasionally start to have...Maki hated the f word....feelings, but Umi, Umi was always 100% on the job, ready, focused. Maki relied on that. What Maki did with....emotional precursors was work them out, leave them to wilt in the blaze of the open, actively exhaust her imagination so she didn’t have to wonder about things. Remembering a flare deep in devilish eyes and hands confidently maneuvering a camera, Maki considered if acting on the impusles flashing through her thoughts would be best before she got on a plane with Nico and flew into even more unfamiliar territory, Maki knew how she worked, and she knew who and what she would be thinking about. Nico’s exacting glance had had a tactile quality and Maki’s skin felt like it had been barely brushed by exploring fingertips. Which was going to be distracting. And Maki knew too well that distractions could be deadly.

“I’ll be in the gym. Don’t find me.” Maki decided.

Umi withheld her commentary. Every job was dangerous. Every Soldier prepared in her own way.

###

Nico had taken the green screen down and was in the center of the boxing ring, looking through a frame made by her fingers, muttering. Maki slid a weight in front of the door and approached the ring, hanging over the ropes.

“I saw you looking at me.” Accusatory snap. Why not? Hate hot. Nico had said that. Nico inhaled, sighed, and turned with hands open, “Look, Nico is sorry, and is so so professional, but you’re just so…” “Hot.” Maki ran a hand through her hair, “I know.” Switch the mood, check. Nico’s expression soured, “Okay. When did Nico sign up for your publicity blasts?"

“I don’t DO relationships," Maki announced, as if Nico had not spoken, "but you’re obviously into me, we have to work together, and I’d really rather not spend a lot of time wondering about whether you’re any good in bed,” Maki stepped through the ropes, strutted toward Nico, making certain to brush by the shorter woman, “like...you know.” And Maki shrugged, casually as she turned, and offhand arrogant multiple x rated seXXXy flashed neon in Nico’s mind.

Nico shook herself, quickly recalibrating the expected response. Ms. Too Cocky For Containment, Too Shy for Eye Contact here obviously wanted Nico to skip the apology phase and go right to impress. “Nico does fine. No complaints. Thousands of need more Nico texts.”

Maki’s quirked eyebrow read dubious as she leaned back, with liquid grace, in the corner of the ring. “Sure. Because your lack of detail encourages belief.” Amethyst eyes dared Nico.

Was this a trap designed to lower Nico’s defenses? Work of the mole? She and Kotori had decided wariness was essential with the new security team, but showing weakness was no way to keep the upper hand. And Nico thrived on the offensive.

“Would you like pics?” Two steps and Nico had blocked Maki into the corner, and the grungy, windowless gym had shrunk to the size of the ring as the combatants sized up their next moves, “Testimonials?” The tip of Nico’s nose had now landed a jab against Maki’s as dark pink lips landed the verbal followup, snapping, “Nico doesn’t even need a bed.”

Nico knew there was a big chance that saying that would completely blow the atmosphere and the super stupidly hot redhead who wouldn’t stop looking super stupidly doable would just collapse into hysterics. And, Nico thought, honestly that might have been a relief, because right now, Nico was pretty pretty sure pretty pretty Maki was smoldering with some fire Nico didn’t start and Nico wasn’t sure exactly what was supposed to happen. Or if everything would just explode. But Nico had never gotten anywhere by not being bold.

“Oh really?” Maki pushed herself up, voice trembling slightly to belay the confidence in her actions, but as the movement rippled through her abs to her bosom, the thinking parts of Nico’s brain, the ones that had been slowing her down, shut off and her hands shot out to grab Maki’s waist.

“I liked you better down here.” Nico dropped Maki onto the stool, leaning in, one hand sliding slowly over Maki’s ear, through her hair, fingers exerting the lightest pressure on the neck, other hand holding Maki at the back of the waist.

“Oh.’ That squeaked out of Maki and Nico was suddenly at her neck, nibbling, confident, certain, as she felt moans her...opponent, sure let’s go with boxing analogies, was swallowing. Maki had not anticipated Nico’s response to be this fast. Or...effective. Maki could feel her heart hammering and Nico’s nearness raising the hairs on her arms. Was this a standard thing for Nico and models?

Nico nipped the earlobe and timed with the shudder, went for the hook, “Want more?” following quickly with an uppercut, her lips on Maki’s throat, slipping to the jaw, hand sliding down to tease Maki’s breast. Maki almost convulsed, no longer asking questions, all of her attention now on Nico’s next advance.

Nico heard a hiss. But no words.

“What was that? Nico was now between Maki’s open legs, leaning in in a way that would have surprised her at the brazeness of the move, if Nico’d been thinking at all, but no, she wasn’t, so she pushed in and Maki leaned forward, even as she squirmed on the stool, legs bumping Nico’s waist, her arms slipping through to wrap themselves in the ring ropes to either side.

“Maki?” Nico avoided the lips, even as Maki nearly roared, concentrating on the reddening chest above Maki’s bikini top, a hand on the bow and the bikini fell open, and Nico stopped for a heartbeat, breathless, she would be going there, as soon as…

A hissed word full of whispery need. “yssss.” And Nico bit, and Maki screamed, and the stool got kicked out of the ring, and Maki was suspended against the ropes, head thrown back, hair in crazy, bouncing tousles, and Nico could never watch another boxing match again, and every taste and touch of skin was so soft and supple and Nico had to dodge a thrashing leg, and Maki was about to rip the stanchion out of the ring, and Nico freed Maki's arm from the ropes, and fell backwards with both of them like they’d switched to wrestling and with Maki on top, Nico even impressed herself, hands flittering as fast as butterflies, kisses hitting as hard as taps on the speed bag, Maki mouthing nothing that made sense. And, then, with a cry, it was over. And for just a brief second, Nico caught a bright glance wide with wonder, then long lashes fluttered closed, and Nico had to scramble for something to cover them both as Maki passed out.

“Wow.” Nico sat, catching her breath, back braced against the stanchion that had managed to survive upright, redhead snoring at her side, under a beach towel. “But what the hell?”

Maki muttered and Nico hushed immediately. Now was not a time for Sleepy Beauty to be wide awake in beast mode. Nico was thinking.

A/N: Twitter, where I live, was in a Bodyguard AU mood so it got me thinking. And all this Maki X Not Nico stuff also got me grumbling. And here we are. Can't promise when the next chunk will come, as I am working on finishing Apocalypse Midnight Dance Party chapters (and Tiger By The Tail) but I wanted to post this start. Enjoy. And stay safe. And drop me a song for my Soldier Game playlist.

#NicoMaki #Bodyguard AU #Nishikino Maki #Yazawa Nico #Soldier Game #Ayase Eli #Sonoda Umi #Minami Kotori #Tojo Nozomi #Hoshizora Rin #Koizumi Hanayo #Kousaka Honoka #Slightly OOC #Lily White

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jonahsahn · 5 years

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Rice Queen Potato Queen

I have truly wanted to talk about this for a long time but I never had the first clue as to where I would begin. Even now, I’m not really sure how to begin tackling this huge subject or how to go about breaking it down.

But the longest journey starts with just the first step and so today I want to talk about Rice Queens, Potato Queens and how their nasty and vicious cycle impacts and affects my life, spirit, soul and very existence.

And to be clear, MOST things have little to no impact on how I go about living my own life. I recognize that being able to say that comes with a mountain of privilege in and of itself, and I’ll save you the laundry list of privileges I’m talking about.

Instead, I’ll start by defining the terms rice queen and potato queen for those of you who managed to click on this video out of sheer curiosity verses those of you who came to this video with your tea cups out and ready to receive this scalding chai matcha latte mix.

So just really quickly: A rice queen is a person, who is usually but not limited to being white and specifically and almost exclusively only dates asian people. Thusly, a potato queen is an Asian person who solely and exclusively dates white people.

There’s actually a documentary on youtube all about it if you want to check it out. Just search the term rice queen. I tried watching some of it for this very essay, but by god, I just can’t stomach it.

“but why?” you might ask. Why are you so obsessed... why are you so in the business of who other people love? If you were trolling me, you might even say “you’re gay and there are plenty of people out there who don’t agree with who you love but you go on about your business and they kick rocks” right?

Well if you’re reading/watching this on a friday, which there’s a one in seven chance that you are, then I can say “false equivalency friday!” If not, then it’s just a regular false equivalency.

You see, because I’m Asian, more specifically, because I’m Filipino and was raised around hello Filipino and other Asian folks, growing up in southern California, and just because a whole bunch of them are so fucking attractive, I am attracted to Asian men.

I feel like I I have to make that clear because white supremacy, which we will certainly address in more depth as this goes on, has tried to keep Asian men, both straight and gay, under its boot for the past few centuries by calling them feminine and undesirable.

So yeah, Asian men are a type of men that I’m completely into; rightfully so and very much within my right. But to be clear, I’m into all types of men; so let me stop you before you come at me with the “well I’m white and I’m into Asian men and you’re making a whole essay about me and that hurts my feelings” thing.

So, because I’m into Asian men and because Rice Queens and Potato Queens, a match made in Heaven (or hell depending on your stance) have a dynamic that is so prevalent in gay society, along with the way Anti Blackness is set up, I, a person of Black and Asian descent, am often left out of the mix when it comes to who Gay Asian Men are willing to date.

I don’t make this claim lightly at all. I have been waiting years to say something about this, and aside from maybe one public instagram post and a few rants dancing around the topic on instagram stories, which have all disappeared and no longer exist except in my personal archive, I have yet to speak directly and confidently about this; but it is a thing. It is SUCH a thing.

And because it is such a thing, I’m often left out in the dust. While gaysian men everywhere are just living their lives and having their preferences which almost always exclusively lean toward white men, I’m on the side lines taking notes.

When the topic is raised within gaysian communities, just so that you know I’m not the only one who complains about this; yes non rice queen gaysians take issue with rice queen gaysians as well; there will undeniably be that moment when one gaysian says to the rest of the group, either digitally or daringly in real life, that who one dates is none of anybody else’s business and that we should all be able to like, love, have sex with or be attracted to whomever we desire.

We are, after all, individuals.

But when you’re stuck on the sideline for so long. When person after person is seen with a white man, when white men who objectively do not look as good as you do KEEP on scooping up the guys; there is a problem.

And just for this moment I want to remove the non rice queen gaysians from the equation as I was just using them as a way to show you that while I am mostly ranting about something that annoys me, this dynamic has an impact an entire other community within this LGBTQ community. Removing the non rice queen gaysians because they don’t have the added layer of Blackness that I do.

Let me stop those of you out there who are about to pounce on the fact that I’m attributing struggle to my Blackness: I love being Black and I wouldn’t change that for anything.

That being said, it IS an added layer of challenge for ME when considering who to date where Asian folks are concerned. Not only do I have to ask myself “Is this gaysian a rice queen, I also have to ask are they a racist POS” as well.

There’s a lot swirling around here and so I want to wrangle it all in while I’m on the note of my Blackness and talk to you about a little thing called White Supremacy and how it’s basically the cause of all of my woes and the driving force behind why potato queens prioritize white men when they could do so much better.

That sounds harsh, but I challenge you to just pay attention to some of these couples; and I say some of because when I talk about looking better than these white men, I’m talking about those relationships that usually involve older white men and younger asians.

There are entire organizations and circuits that have developed in the United States, devoted to enticing young immigrant gaysians with a promise of wealth and luxurious lifestyle by older white men. And plenty of gay asian men play into it.

And while that is a conversation under the umbrella of both white supremacy and rice queen/ potato queen relationships, I do want to consider another vein of this same discussion; one that involves all parties, myself and people like myself included, being just around the same age and how white supremacy plays a roll in the decision making, where white men are concerned, of gay Asian immigrants’ as well as Americans of Asian descent.

I feel like all of the puzzle pieces are there, but many of us involved in this conversation never spend enough time to actually put them together. I see plenty of Gay Asians who pontificate and preach about the oppression of Black and Brown people, but are dating white men and not realizing how their small contribution to this dynamic reinforces the grip of White Supremacy.

Did they ever consider going on a date with a Black or Brown person? Or has the white beauty standard, which has tricked all of us, the entire world over, colonized their desires as well?

Have potato queens had their heads buried in the sand so long that they truly cannot see how common it is to find a White/Asian couple whilst they chant “Black Lives Matter” at their local Gaysian collective meeting?

By now, I realize that my gripe is more with the Asians than it is with the White folks, because white folks gonna white folk. They’re going to continue to be mediocre in both the things that they can and can’t control and they’re still going to get rewarded for that mediocrity.

I just wish that Gaysians would clock that, and do better.

#gaysian #ricequeen #potatoqueen #interacial #lgbtq #lgbt #gay asian #asian #blasian #relationship #rant

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