02/04.

Happy SetoMarry Day!

Magical.

That's how the beginning of their story could be described.

In between the time the door opened and the time she covered her eyes, she saw a little boy. A boy of the species she'd grown so afraid of.

But he was different. Despite her warning, he continued approaching, but not to hurt her nor call her a monster. "I'm just like you," he instead spoke kindly as his warm hand gently pat her head.

The boy called Seto introduced her to a beautifully harmonious sound from the rectangular device he held, and from then on in his near-daily visits, to lots of other stuff she'd only ever read about.

For the first time in all those years of isolation and fear, she was offered the wonderful bond called friendship.

Cute.

That's the first word anyone would think when they see Seto and Marry together.

Piggyback rides. Falling asleep cuddling on the couch. Seto making artificial flowers with her or reading a book to her on his rare days off. Marry refusing to go to bed until Seto gets home from overtime work. Seto fixing, and ending up doing, Marry's chores before Kido finds out the new mess the albino had made. Marry throwing (few but should-not-be-ignored) fits and Seto fondly giving in.

All the lovey-dovey fluff just comes so naturally, never awkwardly, if it's them.

Brought together by fate.

For most of their early life, they've been lonely and made fun of, hence feared the whole world. But those fears literally brought Seto to her door.

They complement each other. She's clumsy and all over the place, he's tough and strong. And he satisfied her curiosity through all means.

Perfect.

Marry knew they are anything but.

She'd realized it long ago, when the little boy who had often visited her humble little home in the middle of the forest started growing taller, leaner, and stronger. Things change and time passes. He would age, but she'll remain the same. Yet parting because of old age is the least of their problems.

For she knew. She just knew that being a medusa binds her to a cruel fate that would inevitably bring destruction. He loves her, and she loves him back. But that love might as well kill him. Maybe he'd die first to set an example, or he'd be kept alive until the end to prolong her agony.

But what's she to do? Would it be better to reset to that fateful day so she could push him harder away? Or to simply wish they'd never met? Neither, because she also knew that they are destined to be drawn towards each other. Maybe not to be what they are and have right now, but one way or another, they would meet, even if she could be the only one cursed to carry the pain of falling in love all over again.

The crunch of heavy footsteps sounded against the cement, just outside the apartment's front door.