Secrets Shining in the Light

[madimpossibledreamer]

 I finished off this chapter and got...most of a chapter of GDA written...
~sheepish Dreamer~

Cast of Characters: Miyamoto Suna/Sunao (Xander), Matriarch of the Miyamoto-gumi/Miyamoto Family
Cordy, as herself
Aoki Mayuho (Dani Oliver)-Member of the Miyamoto-gumi
Author's Notes: In this universe, Japan is run by the women. As is the Yakuza.  The fact that Cordy doesn't know this is real proof she's out of the loop.  Miyamoto's in America on some Amaya-kai business (probably chasing down leads on a certain former Matriarch), but happens to have found a crush while winding down at a local club.  In general, when doing business with foreign countries it's tradition to send a man to do the deals, just because they'll be taken more seriously.  They are, of course, merely a mouthpiece, but it's simpler than having to "train" someone new to take them seriously every time.  Miyamoto has the distinct advantage that they can be both.
More author's notes: background notes

Main Points:
Buffy/Yakuza AU (Bloody Petals)
Chapter Summary: Sunao and Cordy trade secrets.
Word Count: 1157
Rating: Teen (there's a makeout at the beginning, brief discussion of genderfluidity that Sunao/Suna hasn't figured out yet)

 

           Cordy pulls away, letting Nao-kun breathe. It’s been years since he’s let himself just make out with a pretty gal like this. He ignores Suna singsong whispering in his ear he’s a soft fool who can’t keep an eye or leash on his own heart, partly because it’d ruin the moment and partly because she’s as far gone as he is. She’s just being defensive because she’s not used to being vulnerable, anyhow. “I’m not doing anything for you, am I?” she asks, playfully pouty, and slides her hand down from his waist to his crotch, and instantly all the comfortable, happy, breathless feelings disappear in a puff of smoke.
           He backs away like she’d slapped him, and bites his lip so hard he’s nearly bleeding.
           “Sunao?” Cordelia knows she’s done something wrong, but can’t pinpoint it. And now Sunao’s left wondering if she’ll overreact, but there’s no smoothing this over now. Not the way he acted.
           “Oh, trust me, just ‘cause I’m not obvious, doesn’t mean I ain’t—I mean, I’m not enjoying it.” It’s so easy to fall back on Suna when he’s uncomfortable, but here, now, of all times isn’t the place to do it.
           The confused look doesn’t go away, so he clarifies, “I’m not always a man.” More shy than ever, wanting the ground to swallow him whole.
           “What, like magically?” she asks, and well, that confirms that feeling she’d had about being able to be honest about the stuff on his side (well, some of it; talks about organized crime are always a tricky business).
           “That’d be nice,” he agrees (it’d be a wish except he knows better, when you never know where the next vengeance demon’s lurking), tears blurring his eye, making it hard to see. “But nah, too much work. I just…don’t have a dick.” He won’t say it’s not nice to be able to say it, finally. It’s…freeing. He won’t lie and say that sometimes, sometimes, it’d be nice to have one, or to not have to tuck bits of himself away so he feels and looks how he’d want, but there’s always a price. It’s fine for Aoki-chan. She doesn’t have to swap, so it’s easy enough for her to maintain without needing to go too far (never mind it’s usually not allowed for the gokudou in the first place), but for him, it’s impossible.
           Her eyes widen, and she looks at a loss. But then, for as worldly she tries to appear, he gets the sense that she’s putting on a show, sometimes, for his benefit. “I…didn’t know that was possible,” she admits, and he chuckles, though the mood’s almost thoroughly broken now.
           “Yeah. Yeah, it’s a thing. Not everyone gets it.” That’s an understatement. He pulls away, spotting an open table and practically collapsing into a seat. He pats the spot next to him for her to sit, and with an anxious look she does. “I ain’t tryin’ ta pry. But we were gonna hafta talk about this sometime.”
           She looks nervous. She shouldn’t be nervous, not around him—but then, he’s forcing the conversation. She’d appreciated that he didn’t pry—of course he didn’t, he had secrets of his own. But it feels like the time, and he’ll be as gentle as possible. It’s on her whether she answers or not, anyway.
           “I got my secrets. You’ve got yours, right?” She still looks nervous, like a frightened bird. He wants to help, but…he can’t. Not if she won’t tell him. This is America, not her turf, so it’s not like he can act as recklessly as normal (one of the reasons she can’t show her face around much). And he’s worried he’ll just…scare her. “You don’t hafta…” He pauses to correct himself. “…have to say it. But you’ve been hanging around for more than just a sweet time, yeah? Tell me about it, if you want. Maybe I can help.”
           The start makes Nao-kun chuckle. Sure, he’s only got one eye, but he still ain’t blind. Not completely, anyhow. He knows she wants him for something, but it doesn’t drive him ‘round the bend like it usually would. Maybe it’s cute, how hard she’s tryin’. She thinks she’s a sneaky ninja, but she’s really a cute little Chihuahua in a little costume. Maybe he’s just in love. Hard ta say, really. “You thought you were subtle, huh?”
           “I was. You’re just too good.” She pouts theatrically, but he can sense her sudden resolve. She’s made up her mind. “You’re a member of the Yakuza, right?”
           It’s his turn to be surprised. “Hang on—you knew that, but you still thought I was born male?”
           Cordy tries to hide it, but she doesn’t understand the question. Which is interesting in of itself. Instead, she looks him dead in the eye. She doesn’t snuggle up to him or use pretty words. Which he appreciates. “Can you keep me safe?”
           That’s…certainly different than he’d expected. But then, she had shown a few signs that she was trying to lie low, so maybe he just needed a sprinklin’ of imagination.
           “…Depends. I wanna say yeah, absolutely, but at the same time I don’t wanna lie to you. Depends on who from, if ya can leave the country…‘cause I’m limited here in the States.” She still doesn’t look disappointed, which is good.
           “I escaped the Children of the Four Gods.” She’s never looked more fierce, or beautiful, but she’s scared underneath. And no wonder, given what he’s heard—for a cult with under a thousand members, their magic is influential on a world-wide scale. “And I’d die rather than go back.”
           “That’d be a waste of one of the best conversationalists and kissers in the West, but—” He sighs. He’s never hated yakuza politics any more than right in this moment. “I can’t make any promises, but I can see what I can do. I’ll talk to my boss, see what she says. This club’s pretty good for stayin’ outta sight. Lay low here, all right?” He stands, because much as he hates leaving it’s better to have this done as quickly as possible, and then pauses. “You’ve gotta have somethin’ that’s kept you safe so far. Group like that? There’s no way they ain’t tracked ya down without somethin’ keepin’ ‘em at bay. Anythin’ I can use, somethin’ to dangle for a bite?”
           She smiles, tight and cold. “I’m willing to trade the use of a few magical techniques I know to ensure my safety.” She pauses and sighs. “I didn’t mean to fall in love.”
           On impulse, he leans in and kisses her, hoping that for once his love life will work out. “You and me both, Cordy-kun,” he confesses in a singsong voice and saunters away whistling. Well. All in all, nobody’s dead (yet), nobody’s missing an eye, she even took the news about Nao-kun pretty well. There’s a chance, and he’ll fight for it.