Title: Enchanted Ship/Character: Nanjo Kojiro/Sakurayashiki Kaoru Additional Characters: Mention of Kaoru's parents Fandom: sk8 the infinity Major Tags: None Other Tags: soulmate with mark AU, canon divergence, they're not childhood friends here, mutual pining, first meetings, a little bit of swearing, a little angst but mostly fluff, Kaoru's from Kyoto and Kojiro from Naha Word Count: 1000 Remix Permission:See Permissions Sheet
You suggested soulmate AU and I was on board for some
***
Joe and Cherry were what Kaoru called “modern penpals”. It was technically true, considering they communicated exclusively through writing, but it also didn’t entirely fit as it didn’t encompass the whole complexity of their relationship.
Somewhere deep inside him, Kaoru knew that the word “penpal” was almost insulting to their reality, but Kaoru had grown up not to expect the impossible since disappointment was inevitable later on, when you finally realised you couldn’t have everything you wanted.
On May 27th, when sixteenth year old Kaoru had written on his arms and hadn’t received a reply. He hadn’t expected to actually have a soulmate, being raised by two bitter, soulmate-less parents but it had still stung, and he remembered spending days licking his metaphorical wound. This is why he had been so dumbfounded when, on what he had assumed was a random Tanabata morning, he had noticed a little “Hi :)” on the back of his left hand. Heart pounding in his chest, he had run to his desk, grabbed his brush and replied Hi. With that simple act, he had effectively sealed his fate.
It had been painfully easy to hide it from his parents. It wasn’t like they were interested in what Kaoru did beyond his grades and calligraphy work. The teenager introduced himself as Joe, despite obviously living in Japan and communicating with him in Japanese. So, petty as he was, Kaoru had taken the nickname of Cherry. And the rest, as they said, was history.
Talking, or well, being penpals with Joe was fun. The boy, man now he supposed, was funny. He was also smart, and caring. A little bit too cocky at times, but it was always more banter than anything. He was patient too, and understanding considering that he never took Kaoru’s insults to heart but always responded with some of his own, and the easy conversation was slow but never ending..
Kaoru was definitely catching feelings. It was ridiculous, really. He had never even seen the guy, but he guessed that was the power of soulmates. He wouldn’t have accepted any other explanation.
Joe had talked, written, extensively about his dream of being a chef. A two-year long apprenticeship under a renowned Italian chef was awaiting him and he was, to put it bluntly, fucking stocked. (Joe’s words). Kaoru was happy for him. As disappointed as he was to have their conversations tampered with considering the hour difference, he could recognise and appreciate the amazing opportunity that it was. Kaoru himself was moving from Kyôto to Tôkyô to further his education. Less of a change than Naha to Europe, but he would still be able to leave his strict parents and move in on his own, and really that was all he cared about.
Kaoru kept updating Joe about his new life in Tôkyô. The buildings, the different districts, the night life which he discovered he wasn’t really a fan of, the relaxing cat café he was starting to become a regular at, and the tattoos and piercings he was seriously considering. Joe had been incredibly supportive, as usual. And very encouraging of his new style, being a fan of tattoos himself. He was even considering one too before flying to Italy.
I’m thinking of going to Tôkyô to do one on my arm, staying a bit so I’m sure it’s not getting infected, then taking my flight.
When is your flight again?
I haven’t booked it yet. I’m expected at the beginning of September but I wanted to come earlier and visit the country, practise the language a little more, get used to it, you know.
Do you know what you want and by whom?
I was waiting for your opinion! So, Cherry Blossom, do you know any tattoo artists I would like?
Just look for one on Instagram, like everybody else.
Aww Cherry! I trust your judgement!
Kaoru felt his heart flutter.
AND we could meet!
Oh.
Come on! You will be in Tôkyô, I will be in Tôkyô… It writes itself!
He hesitated a little, but Kaoru was curious about the other man. He quickly replied before he changed his mind.
Fine. We can meet. But you’re on your own for the artist!
Yay!! Whatever you say, Princess ;)
Kaoru squeezed his teacup tightly. The warmth coming from between his hands and the one on his lap by one of the cats was barely able to keep the anxiety from getting too bad. He had just started summer vacation as it was mid-July so he had put on all of his piercings, his new tight high-rise leather pants and a sheer black crop top. To anyone who asked, he would have denied until his last breath that he hadn’t dressed up to meet his soulmate.
He was too busy with his own thoughts to hear the man coming.
“Uh.. Cherry?”
He looked up. His eyes widened, lips parting ever so slightly.
The man looking down at him is gorgeous. Green curly hair, tan skin, earnest eyes and a sweet if a little uncertain smile.
He could feel his heart beating in his chest.
“So.. Joe, I guess?”
Gorgeous’ face broke into a blinding smile.
“I knew it was you! I just saw your hair and I immediately thought Cherry!”
Kaoru chuckled. It was a little silly story but he looked so much like an overexcited puppy. Incredibly cute.
Joe gestured towards the chair and Kaoru nodded. Once he was sat down, the awkwardness was palpable. Kaoru felt compelled to speak and fumbled only a little with his words.
“Actually, I chose Cherry because of my name. I’m uh, I’m Sakurayashiki Kaoru.”
Joe crooked his head a little.
“Oh, so I wasn’t far off when I was calling you Cherry Blossom uh… Well, your name is very beautiful… It suits you.”
A beat passed in awkward silence before Joe suddenly jolted.
“Oh! Sorry, I didn’t introduce myself. I’m Nanjo Kojiro. You can call me Kojiro!”
FILL : TEAM GRANDSTAND, T
Ship/Character: Nanjo Kojiro/Sakurayashiki Kaoru
Additional Characters: Mention of Kaoru's parents
Fandom: sk8 the infinity
Major Tags: None
Other Tags: soulmate with mark AU, canon divergence, they're not childhood friends here, mutual pining, first meetings, a little bit of swearing, a little angst but mostly fluff, Kaoru's from Kyoto and Kojiro from Naha
Word Count: 1000
Remix Permission: See Permissions Sheet
You suggested soulmate AU and I was on board for some
***
Joe and Cherry were what Kaoru called “modern penpals”. It was technically true, considering they communicated exclusively through writing, but it also didn’t entirely fit as it didn’t encompass the whole complexity of their relationship.
Somewhere deep inside him, Kaoru knew that the word “penpal” was almost insulting to their reality, but Kaoru had grown up not to expect the impossible since disappointment was inevitable later on, when you finally realised you couldn’t have everything you wanted.
On May 27th, when sixteenth year old Kaoru had written on his arms and hadn’t received a reply. He hadn’t expected to actually have a soulmate, being raised by two bitter, soulmate-less parents but it had still stung, and he remembered spending days licking his metaphorical wound. This is why he had been so dumbfounded when, on what he had assumed was a random Tanabata morning, he had noticed a little “Hi :)” on the back of his left hand. Heart pounding in his chest, he had run to his desk, grabbed his brush and replied Hi. With that simple act, he had effectively sealed his fate.
It had been painfully easy to hide it from his parents. It wasn’t like they were interested in what Kaoru did beyond his grades and calligraphy work. The teenager introduced himself as Joe, despite obviously living in Japan and communicating with him in Japanese. So, petty as he was, Kaoru had taken the nickname of Cherry. And the rest, as they said, was history.
Talking, or well, being penpals with Joe was fun. The boy, man now he supposed, was funny. He was also smart, and caring. A little bit too cocky at times, but it was always more banter than anything. He was patient too, and understanding considering that he never took Kaoru’s insults to heart but always responded with some of his own, and the easy conversation was slow but never ending..
Kaoru was definitely catching feelings. It was ridiculous, really. He had never even seen the guy, but he guessed that was the power of soulmates. He wouldn’t have accepted any other explanation.
Joe had talked, written, extensively about his dream of being a chef. A two-year long apprenticeship under a renowned Italian chef was awaiting him and he was, to put it bluntly, fucking stocked. (Joe’s words). Kaoru was happy for him. As disappointed as he was to have their conversations tampered with considering the hour difference, he could recognise and appreciate the amazing opportunity that it was.
Kaoru himself was moving from Kyôto to Tôkyô to further his education. Less of a change than Naha to Europe, but he would still be able to leave his strict parents and move in on his own, and really that was all he cared about.
Kaoru kept updating Joe about his new life in Tôkyô. The buildings, the different districts, the night life which he discovered he wasn’t really a fan of, the relaxing cat café he was starting to become a regular at, and the tattoos and piercings he was seriously considering. Joe had been incredibly supportive, as usual. And very encouraging of his new style, being a fan of tattoos himself. He was even considering one too before flying to Italy.
I’m thinking of going to Tôkyô to do one on my arm, staying a bit so I’m sure it’s not getting infected, then taking my flight.
When is your flight again?
I haven’t booked it yet. I’m expected at the beginning of September but I wanted to come earlier and visit the country, practise the language a little more, get used to it, you know.
Do you know what you want and by whom?
I was waiting for your opinion! So, Cherry Blossom, do you know any tattoo artists I would like?
Just look for one on Instagram, like everybody else.
Aww Cherry! I trust your judgement!
Kaoru felt his heart flutter.
AND we could meet!
Oh.
Come on! You will be in Tôkyô, I will be in Tôkyô… It writes itself!
He hesitated a little, but Kaoru was curious about the other man. He quickly replied before he changed his mind.
Fine. We can meet. But you’re on your own for the artist!
Yay!! Whatever you say, Princess ;)
Kaoru squeezed his teacup tightly. The warmth coming from between his hands and the one on his lap by one of the cats was barely able to keep the anxiety from getting too bad. He had just started summer vacation as it was mid-July so he had put on all of his piercings, his new tight high-rise leather pants and a sheer black crop top. To anyone who asked, he would have denied until his last breath that he hadn’t dressed up to meet his soulmate.
He was too busy with his own thoughts to hear the man coming.
“Uh.. Cherry?”
He looked up. His eyes widened, lips parting ever so slightly.
The man looking down at him is gorgeous. Green curly hair, tan skin, earnest eyes and a sweet if a little uncertain smile.
He could feel his heart beating in his chest.
“So.. Joe, I guess?”
Gorgeous’ face broke into a blinding smile.
“I knew it was you! I just saw your hair and I immediately thought Cherry!”
Kaoru chuckled. It was a little silly story but he looked so much like an overexcited puppy. Incredibly cute.
Joe gestured towards the chair and Kaoru nodded. Once he was sat down, the awkwardness was palpable. Kaoru felt compelled to speak and fumbled only a little with his words.
“Actually, I chose Cherry because of my name. I’m uh, I’m Sakurayashiki Kaoru.”
Joe crooked his head a little.
“Oh, so I wasn’t far off when I was calling you Cherry Blossom uh… Well, your name is very beautiful… It suits you.”
A beat passed in awkward silence before Joe suddenly jolted.
“Oh! Sorry, I didn’t introduce myself. I’m Nanjo Kojiro. You can call me Kojiro!”
Kaoru smiled.
“Alright, Kojiro. Call me Kaoru, then.”