“…I love you, Mai. More than anyone, or anything, in any time or place.”

This time, Mai was not able to hold back her tears as she smiled down at her love, “I love you too, Shingen, no matter where or when we are, I love you.”

Dress Me, In All Your Favourite Colours – A custom Takeda Shingen (Ikemen Sengoku) X Mai (MC) commission for Teryarel; written by Oona Tempest & edited by RJMercy.

If you’re interested in ordering a custom commission, you can find our listings via our Ko-fi shop, or subscribe to our Patreon at our UR – Platinum tier for a 1k word commission of your choice each month, plus of all the previous tiers’ rewards!

Dress Me, In All Your Favourite Colours

“Are you sure you don’t need to rest?” Mai looked her lover up and down, inspecting him for any signs of the illness that had only recently brought him to the precipice of death, “I don’t want you over-exerting yourself–”

Her worries were interrupted by a warm chuckle, “It is sweet of you to worry about me, Princess, but…” Shingen rested a large hand atop Mai’s head, gently ruffling her bangs, “I assure you, I have never felt better.”

Shingen smiled down at Mai, the soft morning light scattering across his auburn hair as it rustled in the autumn breeze. Something about his picturesque beauty and the way it complemented the equally idyllic day lit a spark of inspiration in Mai’s mind.

But that flicker of inspiration was soon smothered by the haunting memory of Shingen when he was stricken by his illness – one too mysterious for the Sengoku era’s medicine, but able to be treated successfully by a modern hospital.

“Tell me.” Shingen’s soft voice cut through Mai’s spiralling thoughts.

“Hm? Tell you what?”

Shingen leaned forward, just slightly, enough for a lock of his hair to fall across his face in a manner that was far too handsome to be fair, “Tell me the thought you had, before you overthought it and pushed it aside.”

Mai’s eyes snapped up to meet his, wide with enough surprise to raise her furrowed brows, “How did you know?”

Shingen smiled a smile so dazzling it was almost dizzying, “I have the honour of being by the side of such a kind, brilliant woman. Of course I’m going to pay as close attention as I can, so I might savour every moment I’m granted with you.”

Mai turned away to hide her reddening cheeks, “Well, when you put it that way…” No matter how much time they spent together, Mai would never get used to how his unabashed affection would send her heart aflutter.

“What is it, my beloved?”

She looked Shingen up and down, noting the clothes she had bought for him when they first arrived in modern Tokyo. He had been almost immediately admitted to the hospital, so she had never actually gotten the opportunity to go shopping with him. She hadn’t chosen poorly, but what he was wearing didn’t quite fit as well as it could. She had sewn in some adjustments, of course, but even so…

“I was just wondering… If you really are feeling better, did you want to go shopping?”

Shingen smiled, “I thought you’d never ask, Princess.”

“Wait… Really? You don’t mind?”

“Anything you wish, Mai. I want to see everything you’d like to show me from your world.”

Mai’s eyes lit up, “In that case, I know exactly where I want to take you…”

With her last shred of uncertainty swept away by Shingen’s reassuring smile, Mai led the way, Shingen following closely behind, watching her with an animated sparkle in his eyes.

***

It wasn’t long before they arrived at their destination – it was one of Mai’s favourite stores, after all, and she knew the route there like the back of her hand. As they entered, Shingen blinked reflexively at the electric lighting – it was brighter than the oil lamps of his era, and while he had spent several weeks in the luminescent glow of a hospital, he wasn’t sure he’d ever get quite used to how bright everything was here.

Until he looked at Mai, that is, and the radiance of her smile eclipsed even the harshest of fluorescent lights. She was browsing the racks already – menswear, for the most part – her eyes focused, but her shoulders relaxed. Just as Shingen might never get used to modern lighting, he would also never tire of seeing Mai in her element like this.

His admiration of his beloved was interrupted by a soft-spoken attendant. She bowed as she approached the couple, her speech humble as she addressed them, “Excuse my interruption, but might there be anything I could assist you with today?”

Mai greeted the attendant with a cheerful smile, “Actually, I’m just looking for something for my…My partner.”

Mai’s stumble over that particular word – and the endearing blush that spread across her cheeks – did not go unnoticed.

The attendant suppressed a grin, “Ah, what a lovely couple. Please, allow me to assist in selecting an outfit for your partner.”

“Oh, thank you!”

Shingen watched adoringly as Mai and the attendant quickly and enthusiastically conversed over an array of menswear, many made of fabrics of which Shingen had only recently learned.

“Hm… I’m not sure.” Mai was frowning at an outfit the attendant had selected – denim jeans, a relaxed tank top, and a structured, almost military-style jacket that cut a striking silhouette.

The attendant leaned in close and whispered something to Mai that caused her to blush and avert her eyes from Shingen. He could guess – the tank top would certainly show off his muscular figure, and the overall look was masculine enough that it would bring out his wolfish grin and sharp eyes…

But Mai still seemed hesitant, “I know he would look good in it, but… Well, a lot of people assume he’s intimidating at first glance, because of how he looks. I understand why, but the truth is, he’s kind, and gentle, and warm. So, if possible, I’d like to pick an outfit for him that highlights his softer side, to showcase all the things that I–”

Mai cut herself off, the rosy tint in her cheeks spreading further still.

The attendant raised her eyebrows, “That you…”

Shingen knew what Mai was struggling to say, and he could intervene, but a slightly mischievous inclination prompted him to simply smile at Mai, his eyes warm and glittering with a loving mixture of adoration and amusement at her endearing expressions.

“That I… admire about him.” Mai paused, her embarrassed expression shifting into something much more confident, sincere, and radiant, “Despite his size, and his strength, and his wit, he chooses to use that power to help people – he always chooses others, even at the expense of himself – and, while I wish he would place more importance on himself…” She looked up at Shingen, “I won’t ever tell him to be less kind. So, while he’s taking care of everyone else, I’ll take care of him.”

Shingen’s smile faltered, just for a moment. He had thought he had the upper hand, watching Mai become flustered as she struggled to admit her love for him in public. But as he looked at her, and her genuine smile – as she openly said such sweet things about him – he felt his own face heat up, threatening to break his composure.

Brusquely, he redirected the conversation, “Well, when you say such adorable things to me, my beloved, I have no choice but to wear everything you might wish for me to wear, with enthusiasm. Besides, with your keen eye and skills as a seamstress, I have no doubt any clothing you select for me will be perfect.”

Mai’s face grew bashful once more, but she was still smiling. Both of them were, as though in their own world, serene and blissful, amidst the hustle and bustle of modernity. The attendant seemed to notice the shift in their mood, and quietly excused herself, placing the clothes back on the rack to leave the lovebirds to their shopping.

Before long, Mai was placing a selection of clothes into Shingen’s arms and ushering him towards the changing rooms. He gave her a wink as he disappeared behind the door, and Mai contented herself with browsing the other wares on display while she waited. 

A few minutes later, Shingen emerged. Both Mai and the attendant – who had been observing them from a distance, curious to see what Mai selected for her lover – gasped when they saw Shingen’s new look.

He was wearing the same jeans the attendant had chosen – a light blue, like a clear sky on a warm, summer morning – but this time, Mai had paired them with a warm, chestnut-coloured sweater, brown loafers in a similarly cozy tone, and a minimalist, longline coat in a dark, chocolate shade that reminded Mai of his eyes on those nights where they sat and watched the moon together, back home. 

The coat’s lining was accented in a reddish tone, reminiscent of cherry wood, that added a splash of fiery passion to an otherwise earthy, grounded palette. It was strong, and masculine, but also soft, and warm. Mai had dressed him in all her favourite colours, and all those colours reminded her of him.

But that wasn’t the only outfit she chose. The two of them whiled away the day playing dress up across several stores, until Mai herself had to call for a break. She looked up at Shingen with concern, certain she had worn him out well past his limit, but when she looked into his eyes, she saw nothing but pure, unadulterated joy. 

Even if he were tired, she wouldn’t have the heart to tell him to slow down – not when he had such a rare opportunity to relax, let loose, and openly enjoy himself, without worrying about the battles and plots and intrigues back in the Sengoku era.

Reminded of their eventual, inevitable destination, Mai looked down at the bags of clothes in their hands, her face falling along with her gaze.

“What’s wrong, Mai?”

Mai blinked up at him but shook her head, “Oh, it’s nothing. Where would you like to go next?”

Shingen stopped before her, looking into her eyes, “Mai, whatever it is that’s causing your brows to crease in such an adorable way – you can tell me. If you have a problem, let me know what it is, so I can help you with it.”

“Oh! There’s no problem, it’s just that, I’m having so much fun shopping with you, but in a few weeks we’ll be leaving it all behind again.”

Shingen frowned, “Do you not wish to return to Kasugayama?” 

Mai’s eyes widened, “No! I mean, yes! I mean – of course I want to go back, that’s not the problem. I just think it’s a shame that all the clothes we bought will be left behind, that’s all.”

Shingen placed his bags down, freeing up one of his hands so he could place it on Mai’s head, “If only one of us were an exceedingly talented designer and seamstress, who might be able to continue making and choosing clothes for me upon our return.”

“Shingen…” Mai fussed under his hand, embarrassed at the public display of affection, but her grin betrayed her happiness at the gesture. She paused, for a moment, and then looked back at the bags, a spark of inspiration glittering in her eyes. Shingen removed his hand but in her daze of ideas, she barely noticed.

Not wanting to interrupt her train of thought, Shingen chuckled quietly as he picked up the bags and began leading the way back to her apartment, glancing at Mai periodically to check she hadn’t wandered into traffic while her brilliant mind spun with a myriad of ideas. The roads here looked different from those he was used to, but his instinct for directions was the same, and it hadn’t taken him long to learn the layout of her local area.

In fact, he had grown rather fond of modern Tokyo, despite how foreign it had seemed when he first arrived in Mai’s era. Once Shingen had recovered from his illness, he had developed a routine of walking around the neighborhood first thing in the morning, peacefully observing as the coming dawn painted the concrete city in all the brilliant hues of the rising sun.

But now, it was sunset, and the horizon was dyed in vibrant, deep purples and golds. It wouldn’t be long before the lamps would alight – without someone to light them, much to Shingen’s surprise – which meant it was time for Shingen to do battle with the kitchen once more, in his quest to master modern cooking while he still had the tools and opportunity.

Still lost in her thoughts – and muttering something about patterns under her breath – Mai let them in through her door. The pair shed their thick coats and shoes by the entrance, stepping into the welcoming warmth of Mai’s apartment.

“Here, let me help with those.” Mai offered, gesturing to the bags Shingen was still holding.

“Not at all, Princess.” Shingen shook his head, carrying their wares to the table and unpacking them before Mai had a chance to protest, “You have graciously hosted me here, in your home, so please, allow me to at least do this for you.”

He often used this line – insisting he owed Mai since she brought him here and let him stay with her – and she often rebutted by reminding him that his continued survival was more than enough repayment, but on this evening, her eyes involuntarily gravitated towards her sketchbook, and Shingen was familiar with this expression by now – she was itching to sketch some designs.

He offered a charming smile, “Mai… I would love for nothing more than to see whatever art you create while I handle these chores for you.”

“Oh…” Mai’s face softened, “When you put it like that, it’s difficult to argue with you.”

Shingen grinned, “Then it would seem we are in agreement.”

Happiness bubbled inside Mai, and she raised her hand to her mouth as if to stifle the giggle that threatened to escape, “Alright, just this once, I’ll go along with what you say. I know all too well how difficult it is to persuade you once you’ve set your mind to something, anyway.”

Rather than his cheeky grin from before, Shingen’s face lit up with boyish cheer, “You know me all too well, my Princess.”

Her heart full, Mai made her way to the other side of the room, where her sketchbook lay on a desk by the window. Just as she sat down and opened the book, she turned back to Shingen, “Oh, one last thing, before I forget!”

“Yes, my beloved?”

Mai would never get used to hearing him call her such sweet things, she thought – and, speaking of sweet things, “I bought you a gift, while you were trying on some clothes earlier.”

Shingen raised an eyebrow, “Oh? That’s far too generous of you–”

But Mai wasn’t prepared to let him get away with being stubbornly graceful yet again. She waved a hand, “Please, I just felt like it, there’s no need to be so polite. I saw them and thought of you, so I bought them – it’s as simple as that.”

Shingen chuckled, “And where might I find your kind gift?”

Mai gestured to a bag by the counter, “There, just… try to enjoy them in moderation, okay?”

Anticipating her choice of gift, Shingen’s eyes lit up, and he approached the bag with renewed enthusiasm. He opened it, and sure enough, a basket lay inside, filled with modern snacks, treats, and, of course, sweets.

Shingen looked over at Mai with her present to him in his hands, and for a moment, Mai’s breath caught in her throat. She knew, logically, that he wasn’t sick anymore – that he’d been treated at the hospital – and she no longer had to fear his imminent death at any moment.

But even so, seeing him like this, dressed in the clothes she chose for him, his posture somehow taller, yet more relaxed, the mask he usually wore – to protect himself, and his people, in every area of his life – not just cracked or slipped, but completely removed…

It was enough to bring Mai to tears. Luckily for her, Shingen had already busied himself in opening the various, confounding forms of 21st century packaging. She hastily wiped her eyes and turned back to her sketchbook, lest his moment of joy be interrupted by her sentimentality. But, no matter how much she tried to distract herself, she couldn’t quite temper the fierce swelling in her heart as she counted her blessings on such a peaceful, blissful day with her favourite person in not just one, but two worlds.

As her pencil began to scratch against the paper, bringing her vision to life, she felt a comforting warmth on the top of her head once more. But this time, it wasn’t Shingen’s hand that rested there, but his lips, as he kissed her gently and softly. 

Leaning into his touch, Mai placed down her pencil and reached for her lover instead. As she caressed his face with all the affection she could muster in her fingertips, Shingen’s lips moved to her ear, and he wrapped his arms around her in a warm embrace, “Thank you, Mai. I love this gift, and…”

He moved around to her side, kneeling to meet Mai at her height from her seated position. His eyes were clear, healthy, and bursting with love as he continued, “And… I love you, Mai. More than anyone, or anything, in any time or place.”

This time, Mai was not able to hold back her tears as she smiled down at her love, “I love you too, Shingen, no matter where or when we are, I love you.”

The lovers embraced and shared a sweet kiss, highlighted by the soft autumnal sun filtering through the window of Mai’s apartment. It was a beautiful day, and one of many they would now be able to share together in their blissful romance across time.

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