Rosario Castellanos, Tr. By Magda Bogin, From The Selected Poems Of Rosario Castellanos; "Wailing Wall"

you walk down the aisle and nanami kento cries — lets out something in between a broken sob and laugh. wipes his tears away, holds his hand out to you when you reach him. gives it a squeeze, a kiss, admires your nails and the fact you picked the color he suggested for the quickest second.

when he kisses you, he lets a promise slip into your mouth — he promises to love you forever, until the sun explodes. thanks you for being his and for letting him be yours.

i had several tummy aches today ☹️

good morning tummy ache survivors, may this tuesday be lovely

I like these guys

“couldn’t sleep?”

nanami kento (your husband of two months, a man who is feared as a yakuza boss throughout japan) stands behind you — shirtless, silk pajama pants hanging low on his hips, left hand rubbing the sleep out of his eye.

“no,” you respond, some embarrassment coursing through your body as you fiddle with your wedding ring. “figured i could bake something.”

he glances at the clock. gently smiles, almost breathlessly chuckles. “at four in the morning?”

your eyes widen a little. “i can wait until later.”

“no, it’s alright,” he sits on a barstool and rests his chin on the palm of his hand. “i can keep you company, if you’d like.”

his eyes are filled with drowse, eye bags a little more prominent due to restless nights taking care of business.

“are you sure? you look pretty tired, kento.”

he smiles — the way his name rolls off your tongue is like a dewdrop rolling off a soft pink rose petal.

“yes. your sister mentioned you aren’t fond of being alone.”

“oh.” you stop fiddling with your wedding ring, body hot at the thought of your husband being considerate — god, are you that deprived of love? attention? comfort?

“and i could help you, if you’d like.”

you smile, excited at the thought. “of course.”

your early morning is filled with conversation and flour, eggs, sugar; touches that light you on fire — your husband’s hands on your hips as he moves behind you, his thumb cleaning off the flour on your cheek.

in a few hours, you seem to grow closer to each other — you find comfort in the way he talks to you, in those touches he gifts, in the smiles that seem to be solely reserved for you (he is always stoic when you are out of the house, after all).

and you can’t help but think that, after all, there is hope in your marriage. that you’ll find salvation in your husband.

Nanami has a habit of kissing your left ring finger even before you guys are married. Right from the first date after he kisses you goodnight at your doorstep, to when he's finally standing in front of you at the altar. Holding back tears - oh, who is he kidding, Nanami's only regret that day was he got your pretty ring all teary when he kissed your finger.

It comes as second nature to him, and he's genuinely surprised when you point it out - as if why wouldn't he kiss your ring finger? Why wouldn't he make a silent promise to himself that you were the one.

Not that he needed any reminding, but he makes sure to kiss your ring finger even when his blond hair grows a little grayer, his smile a little wrinklier. Still by your side, still with that pretty ring on your finger.

112 days Nanamiless.

I miss him so bad I'm losing my mind.

i'm such a sucker for this trope omg

nanami x reader

~cowardly knight

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knight! nanami x princess! fem! user

tags : royalty au / angsty / minimal fluff / no smut / nanami is a hot knight / princess user

a/n : guys im srsly thinking ab posting on ao3 but jm so nervous.. if anything itd definitely be this trope bc its one of my all time faves, anyways enjoy this oneshot !

context : after a long day, you and nanami take a midnight stroll in the castle gardens, and you cant help but wonder if he reciprocates your feelings

lmk what u think about this!

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As a princess, every movement, every word, every decision was watched, judged, and scrutinized by the kingdom. The crown, though beautiful, was heavy. You wore it not just on your head, but on your very soul. The royal duties, the endless appearances, the constant expectations—all weighed on you like an invisible cloak you couldn’t shake off.

But there were moments when you could escape. Moments when the pressure of the palace walls seemed to fade, if only for a while. The castle gardens were your sanctuary. In the quiet of the night, the sounds of rustling leaves and the scent of blooming flowers were the only things that filled the air. Here, you could breathe freely, if only for a brief moment, and feel the freedom that life outside the castle might offer.

The moon hangs high in the sky, casting a pale, silvery glow across the castle gardens. The night air is crisp, cool enough to make you pull your cloak tighter, but not biting enough to truly discomfort you. The world feels still, as if the very night has paused for a breath.

Nanami walks just behind you, always at a slight distance, never too far to be out of reach, but not close enough to invade your space. He is your knight—his place is always by your side, ever watchful, ever vigilant. No matter where you go, no matter the time, his duty is to accompany you, to protect you. Even now, in the stillness of the garden, he remains close, his every movement calculated, his attention unwavering.

“Such a peaceful night,” Nanami remarks, his voice steady, as calm and composed as ever. He glances at you briefly, his tone softening just slightly. “It’s rare to have a moment like this.”

You don’t answer immediately, lost in the beauty of the night sky above. But as the wind picks up, you feel a chill run through your body. You try to ignore it, hoping it will pass, but the breeze is relentless. Another shiver shakes you, more noticeable now.

Nanami notices it immediately. Of course, he does. He’s always watching, always aware of the smallest details. He steps forward, closing the distance between you, his pace steady but purposeful. Without a word, he pulls his cloak from his shoulders and gently drapes it around you. The heavy fabric envelops you, its warmth immediately a comfort against the cold that’s settled in your bones.

His hands linger just for a moment as he adjusts the cloak, ensuring you’re covered. His touch is brief, professional, but there’s something in the way he does it that makes your heart skip a beat.

“You shouldn’t be cold,” he says, his voice steady and calm. “It’s my duty to make sure you’re safe, Your Highness.”

His words are like they always are—impersonal, duty-bound. But there’s an undercurrent to them, something softer, something more that he doesn’t allow himself to express. He doesn’t meet your gaze, his attention once more turning to the path ahead. But you can feel the shift, the subtle way his focus remains on you even though he tries to hide it.

Nanami is your knight. His duty is clear. To serve. To protect. To remain by your side no matter what. Even if his heart wants to do more, he must push those feelings away. He can’t let them show. He can’t afford to. It’s easier this way.

But the longer he’s near you, the harder it becomes to ignore the way he feels. The warmth of your presence, the quiet moments when you’re just together, these moments are starting to blur the lines between what is duty and what he’s beginning to crave.

He clears his throat softly, trying to rid himself of the distraction. “Are you warm enough now?”

His eyes glance briefly over to you, still not meeting your gaze directly, but there’s something in his expression that isn’t quite as composed as usual. A softness that betrays the discipline he works so hard to maintain.

You pull the cloak tighter around your shoulders, feeling the warmth of the fabric seeping into your skin. You can still feel the heat of Nanami's hands, the brief moment they lingered on your shoulders. A small smile tugs at the corners of your mouth as you glance over at him.

"Thank you, Nanami," you say softly, your voice barely above a whisper in the still night air. "You always take such good care of me."

Your eyes meet his for a moment, and you think your knees might buckle under his intense gaze.

"I'm warm now," you assure him, turning back to the path ahead. You keep walking, your footsteps falling in time with his. The silence between you is comfortable, easy, even if the air feels charged with a tension you can't quite name.

"Do you ever wish..." you start, hesitating for a moment before continuing. "Do you ever wish things could be different? That we could just be Nanami and (name), not what our duties force us to be?”

Nanami's brow furrows slightly at your question, a rare display of emotion crossing his features. He's silent for a long moment, considering your words carefully. When he speaks, his voice is low and measured, as if choosing each word deliberately.

"Things are as they are, Princess," he says finally, his tone gentle but firm. "My duty, my purpose, is to serve you. As the princess, your role is to lead our kingdom, to be a beacon of hope and inspiration for all of our people."

He pauses, and for a brief instant, you think you see a flicker of longing in his eyes. But it's gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by the steadfast resolve you've come to expect from your loyal knight.

"But in moments like these," he continues softly, "when the world around us is still and quiet, and the weight of our duties feels a bit lighter... I suppose I do allow myself to imagine what it might be like. To be free of the expectations, the titles, the constant vigilance..."

You listen intently to Nanami's words, your heart aching at the rare glimpse of vulnerability he's allowing himself to show. You know how difficult it is for him to open up like this, to step even momentarily outside of his role as your stoic, unyielding protector.

Impulsively, you reach out and place your hand over his on the sleeve of his cloak, giving it a gentle squeeze. The fabric is rough beneath your fingers, but you can feel the firmness of the muscle underneath. You look up at him, your hair falling over your shoulders as you meet his gaze.

"Nanami," you say softly, your voice filled with a tenderness you rarely allow yourself to express. "You are so much more than just my knight. You're my friend, my confidant, my..."

Your voice trails off, the unspoken words hanging heavy in the air between you. Nanami's eyes widen slightly at your impassioned declaration, and for a breathless moment, you think he might say something more. Something that would change everything between you. But the moment passes, and he simply nods, his jaw tightening as he looks away.

"Your Highness... you are too kind to say so," he says, his voice carefully neutral once more. "I am honored to serve as both your knight and your friend."

But your heart sinks a little as you hear his words, a flicker of disappointment passing through you. You know he's holding back, keeping himself in check just as he always does. As much as his loyalty and dedication mean the world to you, a part of you yearns to see the real Nanami. The man beneath the armor, the heart behind the stoic exterior.

You take a step closer to him, your voice softening to a whisper. "Nanami, please... You don't have to always put up this front with me. Not when we're like this, not just the two of us. Alone."

Nanami's breath catches in his throat at your words, his eyes widening slightly in surprise. He's not used to such open vulnerability from you, such a direct acknowledgment of the man behind the knight. For a long moment, he simply stares at you, his gaze searching yours, as if trying to discern the sincerity behind your words.

Slowly, almost hesitantly, he reaches up and gently cups your cheek with his calloused hand. His thumb brushes lightly over your soft skin, a tender gesture that sends a shiver down your spine. His touch is warm, comforting, and yet there's an undercurrent of tension, a restrained energy that hints at the strength and power always lurking just beneath the surface.

"You see more than most, Princess," he murmurs, his voice low and rough with emotion he rarely allows himself to express. "More than I often give you credit for." He takes a deep breath, his eyes never leaving yours.

He leans in closer, his forehead nearly touching yours. You can feel the heat radiating off his skin, smell the faint, masculine scent of him. His other hand comes up to rest on your hip, his fingers curling into the fabric of your dress. His grip is firm, and yet somehow gentle.

"Very well, Princess," he whispers, his breath mingling with yours. "I live to serve you."

Nanami's eyes flick down to your lips, lingering there for a long moment. The air between you feels charged, electric, heavy with a tension you've never experienced before. Your heart pounds in your chest, a staccato rhythm that echoes in your ears. You know you should pull away, put some distance between your bodies, but you find yourself rooted to the spot, transfixed by the intensity of his gaze.

Giving you every opportunity to back away, Nanami leans in closer. His lips hover just a hair's breadth from yours, close enough that you can feel the whisper of his breath against your skin. Your eyelids flutter closed, your breath catching in your throat as you wait, anticipation coiling tightly in your belly.

Just before your lips meet, a sudden gust of wind rushes through the garden, sending your hair whipping around your face and breaking the spell. The moment shatters, and he jerks back as if burned, his eyes flying open.

"Princess, I..." he starts, his voice rough and strained. He clears his throat, trying to regain his composure. "Forgive me, I... I shouldn't have-... I let my desires cloud my judgment. It's not right for me to impose such familiarity upon you, Your Highness."

Your heart races as you blink up at Nanami, cheeks flushed and chest heaving. "Oh... I- I see." You swallow hard, trying to find your voice. "It's alright, Nanami. I..." You trail off, at a loss for words, your mind still reeling from the intensity of the moment that just transpired between you.

Nanami takes a step back, putting some much-needed distance between your bodies. He bows his head, his blonde hair falling forward to hide his expression as he struggles to regain his composure. When he speaks again, his voice is carefully controlled, devoid of the raw emotion from moments before.

"It's late, Your Highness. We should head back inside the castle," he says, his tone apologetic yet firm. "The night grows cold, and it's not safe for you to be out in the garden any longer."

He extends his hand towards you, a silent invitation to take his arm. His eyes meet yours, and there's a flicker of something in their steely depths - a mix of concern, regret, and a lingering heat that he can't quite extinguish.

“Please, allow me to escort you back inside," he says softly, his voice a gentle plea. "Your chambers are waiting, and you need your rest."

You frown, your lips turning downwards as you look away from him, your hair falling like a curtain to hide your disappointment. You cross my arms over your chest, the silk robe slipping off of your shoulder, exposing your skin to the ruthless wind.

"I'm not a child, Nanami," You say, your voice tinged with a hint of petulance and barely concealed hurt. "I can walk myself back to my chambers just fine."

Maybe you were wrong. Maybe you read too much into his gentle touches and heated looks. Maybe he doesn't feel the same way you do...

Nanami's eyes widen at the petulant tone in your voice, a flicker of surprise and concern crossing his handsome features. He reaches out to steady you as you cross your arms, his hand coming to rest on your bare shoulder. The coolness of the night air is a sharp contrast to the warmth of his touch, making you shiver.

"Princess, I never said you were a child," he says, his voice gentling as he tries to soothe your hurt. "Forgive me if I offended you with my words. That was not my intent."

His thumb brushes lightly over your shoulder, a comforting gesture that belies the tension in his stance. He looks down at you, his gaze searching yours.

"I merely wish to do what is best for you, Your Highness. Your safety, your well-being... they are everything to me." He hesitates for a moment before continuing, his voice lowering to a softer tone. "But more than that, I want to protect your heart. To shield you from the pain and heartache that can come with... with complicated feelings."

"Let me go."

"Your majesty-"

"That was an order."

"...As you wish, Princess."

people always talk about evil clones like oooh a dark mirror oohh what if you saw what a cruel person you were/are capable of becoming. and well yes but what if you were the evil clone. what if you looked in the mirror and what you saw was so bright it blinded you. what if you had to know exactly how good you could have been.