oddsandends | 103rd ♫ | i need somebody to love me, to make me feel warm and fuzzy

[Maya had been certain she wouldn't actually need a bodyguard while journeying through Kurain's ancestral homeland or whatever, always a bit too sure of her own safety, but she certainly hasn't come to regret it. Having a companion along at all, nevermind one she can tease (and who can take it!), has made what might otherwise be long and lonely travel through beautiful (but again, lonely!) landscapes something a little less boring. Of course, their travel onward seems to be delayed by quite the brewing storm, and they've gotten lucky enough to be taken in one of the houses of a small farm development here on the mountain.

The storm hasn't quite arrived yet, though, the skies still heavy with near-yellow clouds that cling to the waning sunlight, and Maya drifts along to her companion's side with something hidden behind her back, kneel-squatting next to him. She is all smiles, as usual, when she bumps her shoulder against Obi's to make sure she has his attention.]

Okay, guess what I have, and maybe, maybe, I might just share with you.

[Of course, she has his attention without having to seek it out. It's his job to watch over her for the length of this tour, and thus, Obi automatically clocks Maya's movements and anything that moves anywhere near her, even when it seems he's looking elsewhere.

What he doesn't expect is contact, and the nudge makes him blink. Still, he's quick to turn from his study of the sky and grin at her.]

Oh? Is it a snack, Princess Maya? Maybe a drink?

[Those are his favorite things to get a share of, at least.]

Ahh.

[Maya's head tilts to the side in mock disappointment.]

You know me too well already.

[She adjusts so she can reveal their hidden prize without tipping herself over, and sits properly next to Obi, a basket prepared with steamed buns and a bamboo thermos filled with hot tea.]

The auntie we're staying with sent me out with some for everyone. It's a real struggle to share, you know!

[But she's here to share the last of what she's passed out with him specifically; Maya's rather pleased to have him on this trip. Other guards and attendants don't play along with her as much, ignoring or discontent with her playful attitude. Obi is a riot in comparison.]

[She had his attention; now she has his delight. He shifts to face her and the mini-meal more directly, leaning eagerly forward over butterfly-pose legs.]

Oooooh, looks good!

[He looks up, then straightens and puts on a voice, raising one hand pompously to his chest.]

Your valor and restraint honor me. Little have I done for you to earn such consideration, fair lady, but with exceeding gratitude shall I partake of these yummy tokens of your favor.

[Without further ado, he licks his lips and grabs a bun.]

[It gets Maya grinning. Sharing food really isn't so bad when you're enjoying the company you're sharing with.

She adjusts, too, so they are two diagonals intersecting, letting the basket rest in the invisible triangle made outside their legs, so that it doesn't interrupt the flow between them.]

What can I say? I'm as gracious a princess as can be.

[But her playful arrogance is cut short by how thrilled she is at the taste of her own steamed bun, and she wiggles in place in joy and surprise, her knee brushing Obi's.]

Wait, it's so good??

Mmfh-- [He covers his mouth, which is still full.] Ih is!

[His knee lifts away from hers, at first, and then gingerly sinks back into place, as if shy to touch. Obi keeps on as if unaware of the point of contact, quickly chewing his bite of bun with wide eyes (well, wide for him) as if he's in a race against time to get it the heck in his belly. Once he swallows, he exclaims:]

Man, aunties can cook! Where do I get one?

[He hurries to take another bite. Homf.]

[Maya doesn't eat much slower than him, but pauses in chewing to swallow enough to be able to speak, tapping on Obi's leg as though she doesn't have his attention already.]

You should just join my family. I have way too many aunties.

[She says, like it it's so easy and peaceful to do.]

[In response, he bats repeatedly at her hand, chuckling even as some part of his brain goes askdjfl at all the touching. It's an almost ticklish sensation.]

Are you offering to adopt me? I'm not good pet material, you know. Too hard to train.

[You don't know where he's been, etc., etc.]

[Of course, batting at her just makes her bat lazily back at him, increasing the number of times he is touched or near-touched. Counterproductive, probably, especially when their fingers graze each other's.]

No, no, I'm saying my aunts should adopt you.

[What a princess, unashamed to keep talk while she keeps eating that bun...]

When you have a pet, you have to do all the hard work. Playing with someone else's pet instead is where it's at. Then you'll definitely do what I say, just so you look polite with strangers.

Wow!

[He waves his bun, ending the playful knuckle-bumping.]

You'll win me over with steamed buns and then abandon me to the aunties? That's cruel, Princess. A girl should take responsibility for the wild things she feeds.

[Bro just said he wouldn't make a good pet.]

Hey! I've got tons of responsibilities.

But if you won't be trained, the people sure won't want to see their princess with a wild beast!

[She protests, playfully, but immediately breaks character to admire—]

Oh, but that would be so cool...? Like a princess with a bear? Or a lion?! I want a lion!

[Why is she so easily wrapped up in fantasies...]

[He laughs, chews and swallows another mouthful of bun, and then makes a claw of his hand, leaning into her space.]

What, like, rawwrrr? Rawwrrawrrr!

[That's actually not a bad attempt, limited as it is by human vocal cords. Obi's good at impressions.]

Hahahaha. What would you even do with a lion? It's prolly a pain to do all that... mane-tenance.

[Maya nearly chokes on the bit of bun she's eating, covering her mouth so she can successfully giggle past her food without being too gross.]

That's true, but don't cats sleep a lot, too?

So I guess we'd just spend a lot of time lion around!

[She's grinning so hard her cheeks hurt. This is why she hangs out with him more than the others! How hard is it to play along??]

[Looking quite pleased with the response he's gotten, Obi returns to his own space and puts more food in his mouth.]

Gueff tha'd be okay wih me, too, though. [Chew chew chew. Swallow. He wipes his face with the back of one hand.] I mean, I like to sleep. And I bet a friendly lion would make one hell of a nap buddy, all warm and big enough to be a pillow.

Right? And I bet they're pretty soft, too.

...But they are really big, which means they probably eat a lot...

[Maya chews her own bun thoughtfully, wiggling from side to side as she contemplates.]

Sharing snacks with you would be a lot easier than sharing with a lion...

Well, no way am I as soft as a lion.

[Are lions soft??? Obi’s likely right, though. He’s all lean, mean muscle and knives. He takes the tea thermos to sniff its aroma appreciatively and hums.]

But I’ve got a lot less hair to brush, too. On the spectrum of dangerous, untamed animals to take home, I guess you could do worse. We got any cups?

Mm! Mmhm,

[Maya reaches into the basket for that bamboo thermos and stacked ceramic tea cups, the last of her bun hanging in her mouth as she speaks.]

Youff god lesh hair, bu' I coul' shtill brush it.

'S better van a lot— [She swallows, finally, starting to pour—] — I think. Less maintenance.

Sure, sure, if you don't count all the work you'd have to do to get me to sit still for it.

[He takes his tea when she's finished, holding it in both hands while it cools.]

Maybe instead of protesting handing me over to the aunties, I should've scolded you for leaving your poor aunties with me. Even if I'm easier than a lion, I need a master strong enough to keep hold of my leash, or I'm liable to make trouble.

Maybe trouble was the goal all along.

[Maya gives Obi a mischievous look over the cup she pours next, then returns to sealing the thermos and rearranging everything in the basket.]

Besides, isn't it cooler when someone can call their pet from across the way and they'll just come running? It's like an an invisible leash!

True enough. Can't imagine putting up with a collar, anyway.

[Never mind how often he refers in canon to the prince holding his leash, that is not applicable in this AU. Bodyguard Obi's a free Obird!]

What would you do to make sure I came when you called, though?

[Maya leans closer, just to enhance the mischievousness of her grin.]

You mean you wouldn't already?

Hmmm.

[He takes a lonnnnnnng sip of his tea before returning her mischief with a wink.]

If I say no, will you feed me more treats?

I dunno, aren't you supposed to reward good behavior?

[Maya wags her finger side to side, happily deciding—]

If you won't do the trick, you don't get the treat!

Awww, I thought you'd give in to secure my loyalty. Boo hiss!

[He puffs out his cheeks and then laughs.]

Don'tcha worry, Princess. At least as long as we're together, I'll come running when you need me. You can count on that.

Mmm, then at least as long as we're together, you can count on me to take care of you.

[And with that, she pulls something sweet— an anko-filled wagashi confection, previously hidden beneath cloth— and raises it to Obi's mouth.

In demonstration, she opens her own and prompts—]

Ahhhh.

throws some bodyguard au here thoughtlessly

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even impressions. why are they literally the same

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