"When silence falls the voice can truly be heard." A safe place for my musings, story ideas, and creative ventures. requests: open
ask to tag, can be NSFW
1. “I hate it here!” she shouted, kicking the empty tin can. It skidded and bounced across the concrete, the hollow sound echoing through the empty warehouse. “I’m going to go crazy if we have to stay here much longer.”
2. He got to his feet, anger washing over him the way a dam breaks, suddenly and completely. “What did you do to my brother?”
3. “It was never meant to end like this,” he said sadly, watching the city burn beneath them.
“Then what?” the other boy asked, “what did you think you would do?”
He met the other boy’s gaze, his eyes filling with hot tears that quickly spilled onto his cheeks. “I thought we would save them. They promised me what we were doing was right, they told me I would be their hero.”
4. “You didn’t come to the show,” she said, sitting down beside him without a word.
“I didn’t think you would want me there,” he said, not meeting her gaze.
5. “Are you always this annoying?” she asked.
The other girl smiled, “only on alternating Tuesdays.”
At a ball, a princess falls in love with the prince of a far-off kingdom and goes on a journey to find him again. But when she reaches the kingdom, all she finds is centuries-old ruins.
The princess groaned, splaying herself dramatically on the window seat of her tower. She shouted up to the dragon sat atop it.
“They’re sending another one of those stuffy princes to me! You should take him, you know.” She suggested. “You think they’re cute, and I certainly do not.”
Series: Free!
Pairing: ReiGisa
Genre: Fluff
Word Count: 755 words
Summary: After hearing about Rei’s feelings about love, Nagisa believes it’s time to tell the former track runner how he truly feels.
A/N: This came to me after finding out Rei finds love “irrational”. To be fair, he’s not totally wrong.
Nagisa stared down at the textbook in front of him. The scratching of Rei's pencil against his workbook grated against his ears. Glancing up at the blue haired male next to him, Nagisa tapped the eraser of his pencil against the tabletop. Should I do it now? The thought had repeated itself like a mantra for the last hour. This was the best time. Rei's parents weren't home and wouldn't be for a while. With a sigh Nagisa cleared his throat.
"Rei." He looked up to see Rei adjust his glasses and continue working. "Rei!"
Rei cocked his head and tore his gaze from his workbook. "What?"
"I need to tell you something."
"And that would be?" Rei stared expectantly at his smaller companion. Nagisa stared back just as expectantly as if Rei would figure out what he wanted to say. They sat in silence for a few moments before Rei sighed. "Did you forget what you were going to say?"
Nagisa shook his head. "No. I'm just trying to figure out how to say it."
"While you figure that out can I get back to work?" Without waiting for a response he returned to solving the problem in front of him. Nagisa bit his lip. Maybe saying it wouldn't be the right way of going about this. He turned to face Rei and placed a hand over his. Rei went still. Cerulean eyes didn't move from their hands.
"What are you doing?" Turning his head he saw Nagisa. Just inches from his face. Rei’s cheeks flushed. "N-Nagisa, what are you--"
Their lips brushed. Rei's breath caught as his body froze. Shifting positions Nagisa pressed his lips flush with Rei's. The kiss lasted a mere second. He pulled away leaving Rei completely flustered. Rei's hands shook, his face as red as his glasses. He could hear his heart pumping in his ears. His throat closed up so he couldn't speak. What is this feeling? Why is this happening to him? His vision blurred as he tried to rationalize what Nagisa had just done.
Nagisa watched Rei closely, regret plain in his eyes. I made a horrible mistake. "I'm..I have to go--"
He gathered his things and started to stand up. Rei grasped his wrist and looked up at him with the look of fear and curiosity painted on his face.
"I-Is this what love feels like?" He mumbled. He read so many books on love and the chemistry behind it, but never understood it. Why were a few released chemicals so important? All love did was blind people of their goals, right? All it did was make people greedy and selfish.
Nagisa stared at Rei blankly for a moment, processing what was asked. "Depends on what you're feeling."
"Like I can't breathe." Rei said slowly, "Like...I need to be near you all the time. Even when I don't want to I always think about the next time I'll see you or what you're doing at that moment. When I fall asleep I wonder if you're falling asleep the same time I am. When I'm studying I'm wondering how you're doing in class. My body is shaking from the adrenaline and I can't make it stop. Is this what love feels like?"
A small smile formed on Nagisa's lips as he gave a curt nod and sat back down. Rei's grip on his wrist loosened. He stared down at the floor, unable to speak. Nagisa gave Rei's sleeve a tug. "Re-"
"I always believed that love was irrational. It is a useless flaw in the human construct that only hindered our abilities. For a long time I always pushed away any feeling I suspected of being 'love' and denied anything that might be considered an act of it. But when you k-kissed me...I don't know what to think. This isn't rational. This feeling I'm having isn't rational. It doesn't make any sense. Why does my heart race when you're near me? Why do I always think about you? Why is it you? This 'love' I feel is like a disease."
Nagisa grabbed Rei's hand and gave it a squeeze, his infectious smile broadening. "I have it, too, Rei. And we can share the symptoms. Together."
Rei managed a small smile before giving a chuckle. "Together." He squeezed Nagisa's hand back, glancing back down at the floor.
"A-Are we going to tell the team?"
"Psssh. They already know." Nagisa smacked Rei's shoulder and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "I love you, Rei."
Series: Axis Powers: Hetalia
Pairing: Het!Canadacest (1P!Canada X Nyo!Canada)
Genre: Fluff, Domestic
Word Count: 1,265 words
Summary: Matthew tries his hand at flirting with a girl in a café. But she doesn’t seem to want what he’s selling.
"May I take this seat?" The voice was light and masculine. Madeline didn't look up from the novel she held in her hand. Before she could even open her mouth the chair across from her scrapped against the hardwood floor.
She felt their presence, though faint, as the person sat down across from her. Heaving a deep sigh Madeline assumed that if she ignored the person they would go away. They didn't. Instead they leaned in slightly, the faint scent of maple wafting from them. Silence. It lasted for what seemed like eons. Madeline shifted. She didn't like it. Wouldn’t they just go away?
"You have beautiful violet eyes." That caught her attention.
She glanced up at him from her book. A man sat across from her. He had golden blond hair that curled ever so slightly against his cheeks. Cerulean blue eyes hid behind oval glasses never left Madeline's person. He wore a button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. A soft smile never left his lips as he spoke.
"They're rare, y'know? Violet eyes" He continued, "I've never known anyone with them. My brother and I inherited our blue eyes from our father."
With a sigh Madeline closed her book and placed it down, crossing her arms on the table. "Okay, you got me. What do you want?"
The man's smile grew before he held out his hand. "Matthew. Matthew Bonnefoy, but you can call me Mattie."
Madeline cautiously took his hand in her own, giving it a firm shake. "Maddie."
"Is that short for Madeline, by chance?"
"Don't call me that. What do you want from me?"
Matthew chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "What's wrong with trying to make a new friend?"
"Not many people just walk up to strangers and try to start a conversation." Madeline said, eyeing Matthew warily.
"More than you think. You've never met my brother. That's him over there actually." Matthew pointed behind Madeline to where another blond was not so discretely watching them from the bar.
As soon as Madeline made eye contact with him he stood up and started walking towards them. Matthew's smile faltered for barely a second as he mumbled something in French under his breath.
The blond gave a broad smile and stood between Madeline and Matthew next the table. He rested a hand on the tabletop and offered his other hand to Madeline. "Name's Alfred F. Jones. My brother Matthew isn't being too much of a dork is he?"
"You're one to talk." Matthew muttered. Madeline took Alfred's hand and gave it a shake.
"Maddie. You two are brothers? Why do you have different surnames?" Madeline glanced at Matthew for an answer.
"I'm Alfred's older half-brother. Papa never married. When Alfred was born his mother insisted on him having his surname because it would sound better. Papa didn't argue." By the time Matthew was finished speaking Alfred had already pulled a chair up and plopped down into it.
"He's only older by, like, two years, don't let him get all puffed up and proud."
Matthew gave Alfred a light push and looked right at Madeline. "I wasn't joking when I said I was looking for a friend. Al decided that he would pick who my new friend would be and you got the lucky draw."
"So I was just randomly chosen.” Madeline’s voice was monotone. “You didn't just pick me because I seemed interesting to you."
Matthew felt a twang of guilt. "It's not th--"
"I need to go." Madeline stood abruptly. Alfred peered into the glass he was drinking from as she gathered her things and walked away. Matthew tried to speak, but any words only came out as random syllables. Once she was out of ear shot Alfred gave a snort.
"She's pissed."
Matthew snatched his glass back from Alfred and set it down on the table. "Why must you ruin everything?"
"Hey, you're the one who told her. I wasn't gonna say nothin'." Matthew made a sound of disgust before rising from his chair.
"You're buying." He didn't even give Alfred time to process the statement before he left, chasing after Madeline.
Matthew caught up with her halfway down the street. The sidewalk wasn't as crowded as he had thought so he managed to get to her fairly quickly. He lightly tapped her shoulder. She braced herself to swing her purse as she turned, relaxing when she saw him.
"What do you want? To keep playing your little game with me?"
"You're reading The Kite Runner, right? By Khaled Hosseini? It's a fairly heavy read."
Madeline looked down at her purse then back up at him. "I like the realistic way it's written. Do you have a problem with that?"
Matthew grinned. "Not at all. I have a copy at home, actually. The ending really got me though. Have you ever read it before?"
"Only once. But when I read it before I didn't understand what was going on as much. I still don't exactly." Her posture loosened, the grip on her purse easing.
Matthew shoved his hands into his pants pockets. "Do you want to talk about it with me? It has a lot of historical ties. I could teach you so you can understand it better. Maybe tomorrow? If you're willing. There's this little café on the corner I go to once a week to get away from things and we could talk there."
Madeline thought about it for a moment. "No Alfred?"
Matthew laughed. "No Alfred."
Madeline paused again before rummaging through her purse for a marker. "Why do you--?"
She grabbed his hand and started writing on his palm. "Don't smudge it, okay? I won't give it to you again."
Once she was done Matthew furrowed his brows at the scribbles on his hand. It was a phone number. He looked up to say something but she was gone. Standing there, dumbfounded, Matthew dared not close his hand for fear of smudging the numbers. He didn't know how long he stood there, but the longer he stood, the more he felt the adrenaline run through his veins. He felt his face flush, his body shake. He actually did it. He gave a nervous laugh as he pushed his glasses back into place.
"Yo, Mattie! What the hell, man?" Alfred run up to Mattie and clapped a hand over his shoulder.
"Apparently that chick didn't pay for her food before she left. She can pack a lot of food that was one expensive check."
"You'll live." Matthew stuttered. Alfred looked down at his hand.
"What's that?" Matthew lifted it up so Alfred could see the ink.
"Her number." A broad grin cracked on Alfred's face. He ruffled Matthew's hair and put him in a headlock.
"That's my bro! Getting the girls, stealing some hearts! What did you say to her? Which pick-up line did you use? Share your wisdom with your lil' brother."
Matthew struggled to get out of Alfred's iron grip. After a few minutes of fighting he stopped, panting, and pulled on Alfred's arm enough so he could breathe. "I just mentioned the book she was reading. I've read it before and she didn't understand it so I offered to help her."
"Ooh," Alfred cooed, "A little study session. I wonder what will happen while you 'study'." Matthew gave a low groan.
"I'm not going to do anything like that, Al. Get your mind out of the gutter. Now let go." Alfred gave him another squeeze before releasing his older brother.
Series: Akatsuki no Yona
Pairing: HakYona
Genre: Fluff
Word Count: 630 words
Prompt: Use the sentence “Oh, sweet Princess, would you care to be mine?”
A/N: This one was writing when I first started the series like a year ago...I barely edited it.
“Oh, sweet Princess, would you care to be mine?” Hak took Yona’s hand in his as he knelt to the ground. It was late, the full moon hanging heavily in the sky above. Hak found Yona practicing with her bow again. Or rather, she found him spying on her. With her increased skill she almost took his eye out.
Yona hesitated, looking back towards where the camp was. She hadn’t noticed anyone else nearby and if there was Hak would have gotten rid of them already. She cleared her throat as she felt her hands begin to shake. The look in Hak’s eyes seemed genuine. Was he being serious? He had put her in this situation before. Though in those situations she was being harassed or in eminent danger. This time was different. His look was genuine. His cobalt blue eyes bored into her as if staring into her soul.
“H-Hak...” Her voice was softer than she had intended. She felt the shivers travel through her hands up her arms and take over her body. Though they felt strong to her it only looked like she was slightly chilled.
Hak placed his other hand over hers to steady it, a slight grin forming on his lips. He pulled her close in a tight embrace, burying his face in her shoulder. “Princess, we have been through a lot. This journey has taken a toll on all of us and it may very well take your life by the end of it. I promised to protect you and I swear to serve you until the day I die....”
Yona was at a lost for words as Hak’s voice faded. Only the night sounds of nature filled the silence between them. Yona felt Hak give her a squeeze before pushing her back a step. His eyes fell upon hers again. He reached up and brushed her bangs out of her eyes, rubbing his thumb against her cheek.
“I ask again. Princess, would you care to be mine?”
“Hak, I...” Her voice fell again as she failed to find the proper words. Her lips stretched in to a grin that matched Hak’s. She leaned forward, her lips inching closer to his. Hak’s breath caught in his throat. His mind reeled as he searched for something witty to a say. His own hands began to tremble at her waist. It was happening. This was real.
Her lips feathered against his. Snap. A branch split in the bushes nearby. Without a second thought Hak spun around, grabbing Yona’s bow off the ground and an arrow from her quiver. He shot an arrow near the sound.
“Show yourself! I won’t miss next time.” Silence. Hak grabbed another arrow and walked towards the bushes, loading the bow for a second shot. Once he was close enough to see who was behind them he froze. The second shot almost fired on instinct. Kija sat huddled behind the bushes, his eyes wide with what looked like a mixture of anger and realization.
Hak lowered the bow slightly and glared at Kija, daring him to speak. “Say one word and I’ll personally chop your head off, White Snake.”
Kija gave a knowing nod before scuttling back to camp. Hak relaxed and heaved a sigh. He ran a hand down his face, trying to compose himself again. He tossed the bow and arrow back in Yona’s direction, but dared not to look back at her. He could still feel her warmth right next to him, almost taste her lips on his. If he looked back he may do something he would regret later. He tilted his head back, taking in the moonlight on his heated face.
“I never did get an answer, Princess.” He chuckled. “Though maybe it was for the better...”
Series: Akatsuki no Yona
Pairing: HakYona
Genre: Fluff, Domestic
Word Count: 1,091 words
Summary: Hak works in his grandfather’s used bookstore. Every night before he closes he finds a girl sleeping in the corner. Why does she keep doing this?
A/N: This was based off of a post, but I can’t find it.. ;A; I may create a companion piece for this.
A clock ticked solemnly somewhere out of sight in the store. Hak checked his phone for the twentieth time in the last five minutes. Ten o’clock on the dot. With a sigh he closed the magazine he was pretending to read. Standing up he snatched the keys hanging on the wall.
“Why is it me who always has to close up shop?” Hak mumbled to himself. He leisurely strolled to the door. The lock gave a satisfying click. Freedom.
A crash startled Hak. It came from the back of the store.
Who would be there that late? Stealthily Hak traveled through the maze of bookcases, nearly tripping over small piles of book on the floor. Great, more work. He passed the entrance to the World History section when something caught his eye. Backtracking he say a figure curled up in the corner.
Tentatively Hak moved closer to the figure. As he inched closer he realized the figure was a girl. His shoulders dropped, his body relaxing. Not again. The girl looked young, though she was probably older than she looked. Crimson hair, mostly hidden by the hood of her jacket, curled against her rounded cheeks. She was sleeping. Her cheek was pressed against the side of one of the bookshelves. A toppled pile of books surrounded her. Hak realized the sound was from her shifting positions and knocking over the books. How did she sleep through that?
Hak knelt down next to the girl with a deep sigh. He started picking up the books on the floor and put them on a side table nearby. Glancing down he noticed the girl clutching a thick tome. Leather bound. The letters on the front were worn from use. Hak recognized it immediately. It was a book on the theory of war. He had tried to read it himself multiple times out of boredom. It was a difficult read. Even he didn’t understand most of it. He’d seen her with it before. She always seemed to get absorbed it.
Leaning over Hak snapped his fingers in front of the girl’s face. “Oi.” He snapped again, enticing a low groan from her. “Hey. You do this every night. You can’t sleep here.”
The girl opened her eyes, wincing at the light. She shifting into a sitting position, the hood of her jacket falling off. “Did I fall asleep?”
“Again. Yes. With the number of times you’ve fallen asleep here I might as well set up a cot in the store for you.” Hak’s voice was monotone. This was the same conversation he’s had with her every night for the last three weeks. He didn’t even know her name.
The girl giggled despite the lack of humor in Hak’s voice. “I know, right?” Her voice was as light as her laugh, though still groggy from sleep. “But there are so many good books to read here.”
“There are things called libraries, y’kn--”
“Plus you always wake me up. I don’t know why, but I feel safe when you’re watching the store.” Hak raised a brow. This was new. He tilted his head.
“You don’t even know my name.”
The girl shrugged, a soft smile forming on her lips. “It’s just a feeling. I mean if you were someone bad you would have done something already. But you don’t. You always lock the door first before finding me. You never raise your voice despite the messes I make. You always put up the books before waking me up.”
“That doesn’t mean you should trust so easily. It could get you into trouble.”
The girl shook her head, her wild hair shimmering in the light, and broadened her smile. “I don’t believe you’d hurt me.”
Hak sat down, fully intrigued. He leaned forward slightly. “And why’s that?”
“Your eyes.”
His brows furrowed. The girl chuckled at his confusion. “You look tough and you can act mean, but your eyes...They’re soft and caring. Despite your tone you really care. Even if you don’t know my name.”
Hak went silent, unsure of what to say. He sighed again and stood up. “You’re gonna wanna get outta here. My grandfather likes to pop up on me while I’m cleaning. I’ll lock the door behind you.”
He paused before glancing down at the book still in her hands. She stood up and started to put it back on the shelf. He placed a hand on hers, feeling tingles down his spine as their skin touched. Did she feel that, too?
“Keep it. I’ll start a tab for you.”
The girl brought it to her chest and clutched it tighter. When she looked up Hak had already started to walk away. “Y-Yona!”
Her voice was louder than she had intended. She curled into herself as soon as she said it, suddenly feeling timid. Hak turned, head cocked.
“My name’s Yona. Now you know my name.” Hak smirked. Without a word he turned back to start cleaning. Yona called out to him. The sound made him stop again.
“It’s not very fair for you to know my name and me not not know yours.”
The silence seemed to drag on forever before Hak spoke. “Call me Hak.”
The tone in his voice made the conversation final. Without another word he disappeared behind a bookshelf. Once out of sight he pressed himself against the shelf, placing a hand over his heart. Slow down, he beckoned, Sliding his eyes shut he counted the seconds before he heard the front door’s bell ring. He gave a laugh, short and detached. His mind reeled. Her name repeated in his mind. A broken record stuck on a single track.
“Yona.” The way it sounded was smooth like silk, the way it tasted sickeningly sweet. He wanted to hear it more. Feel it. Be engulfed in it. He wanted to hear her say his name. To have her wear it out, crying it until her voice is hoarse.
Shaking his head he pushed those thoughts away. No. He shouldn’t let those thoughts consume him. Besides, what’s the likelihood she thought of him outside the store? Even as just a passing thought? Probably not very high. She probably had a bunch of friends and maybe even a boyfriend. No point in pursuing something you can’t have. It’s only torture for yourself.
At the same time he hoped. Even if it was a fleeting feeling he wanted her to come back. To want to know him. A thud and low curse sounded behind him. Hak rolled his eyes.
I remember it vividly; like a brand scorched into my memory. The stench of alcohol and cigars, the smoky air that gave the club a sense of mystery, her. It was a Saturday. The Saturday that my friend Vivian decided would be the day that we go to a new jazz club that opened around the corner. “Therapy” she told me. A way to keep my mind off of Damien. Though frankly I hadn’t even thought of Damien. Not since the day I received a text and came home to an empty apartment. Vivian knew this. It was just an excuse to go out.
The club’s name escapes me at the moment. Though the club isn’t what is important about this memory. It’s the entertainment. Vivian and I sat in the center of the room. She managed to coax some guys at the bar to buy us drinks, claiming that we recently graduated. Sitting in one of the guy’s lap, Vivian was giggling, a syrupy sweet little laugh, at some horrible joke he made. The guy next to me kept his distance though he had an arm resting on the back of my chair. He tried small talk though failed to ignite any desire in me to speak to him save a few words.
A voice, low and husky, introduced the next show. I couldn’t hear it over the chatter in my ear, but the room fell silent as the echo of piano keys strumming, scale after scale, filled the room. The curtain rose to reveal a woman. Her full figure was hugged by a sleek red dress that glittered in the spotlight. Her hair, a coppery red, was tied back into a tight bun. at the base of her neck. And then she parted her beautiful red lips to sing. My world stopped.
“Ayra. Ayra!” I don’t know how long Vivian had been calling my name. It must have been a few minutes judging by the pout on her face. I didn’t ask what she wanted. I didn’t even move my head more than enough to let her know she had some of my attention. Instead I asked: “Who is she?”
Vivian squinted up at the stage. She rested her cheek in her hand, sighing softly. “Her name is Isla. She’s the main act for this club.”
“Isla.” The name tasted like honey, sweet and sticky. I wanted to know more, see more. I stood upm but by the time I rose the song was already over. The curtains fell. She was gone.
A chuckle passed Kiku’s lips. He wasn’t sure what else to do. The smile fell from his face when Alfred mentioned the jacket. It suddenly became very heavy on his shoulders.
“Seriously?” It was Alfred’s favorite. He rarely went anywhere without it. Kiku knew full well how much it meant to Alfred. He gripped the hem of the jacket. “A-Are you sure? I know how much this means to you.”
A smile itched the corner of his mouth, but he tried desperately to keep it in check. As happy as the thought made him he didn’t want Alfred to know. The jacket was important. A symbol. It was an essential part of what made Alfred, well, Alfred.
“Might have to steal it from you sometimes,” he cleared his throat. “But, uh, yeah sure I mean it.”
Maybe the very important yet hidden meaning would be clear to him, he hoped so. Alfred’s never been good with feelings or anything dealing with emotions, but at least he’s trying.
The smile itching at Kiku’s lips spread. He poked he blond’s nose. “You’ll definitly have to steal it from me. I’m already quite fond of this jacket.”
As if to prove a point Kiku zipped the jacket up and scooted a bit away. He looked up as if pondering something, tapping his lips with his finger. “Although...Is it really righteous for a hero to steal? Especially from a loved one?”
The use of the term ‘loved one’ had a different heft to it. A different connotation. It made Kiku wonder: What were they? Even though they kissed where they still only friends? Would they start dating? Neither actually stated how they felt about the other. The kisses themselves could be blown off later. Kiku made eye contact with Alfred. What was he really feeling?
For obvious reasons Matthew didn’t believe her. And yet part of him wanted to. She rarely lied to him outright. He made brief eye contact as he looked back to back out of the driveway. “Mmhmm.”
He rolled the windows down and rested his elbow on the door. The wind blew pleasantly through his hair. Like nature running its fingers through his. He hummed softly, reveling in her presence.
She gently, very gently, punched his shoulder when he didn’t seem to believe her. “It’s true, you know!” Maddie said with a laugh. “I’m not that lazy!”
Content with everything, she leaned back into the seat and closed her eyes. Even a comfortable silence with him was better than the music that filled the empty hallways of her house. It was nice how there was something soothing about him that always rested her nerves.
“Mmhmm.” He hummed again, quickly covering it with a proper tune. As they drove Matthew kept stealing glances in her direction. She was there. She was sitting right there next to him. Idly he took his hand off the gear shift and took her hand. His heart fluttered at the contact. A deliciously familiar feeling. His thumb rubbed against the back of her hand. “I missed you.”
He stopped at a red light and looked directly at her. Lifting her hand he gently kissed it and gave a squeeze. “I really missed you.” The light turned, making Matthew focus on the road again.
Matthew chuckled again, glancing back at the house before shutting the door. “I see you were very busy.”
He linked arms with her, leaning in close. “It kind of defeats the purpose of a surprise date if you know about it. Besides I’m sure whatever important things you might have been doing can wait. You can thank me later with a kiss.”
Matthew nudged her shoulder before opening the car door for her. He hopped in and started the engine. It felt good. To joke. To laugh. To have her there. He wanted it to last a little while.
“Mm, I’ll have to think about it, of course.” She replied, sending him a small wink.
Once in the car, she propped her feet up on the dashboard, an old habit that she could never really break even if she tried. “You know, I was actually quite busy,” It wasn’t technically a lie, more like a half-truth. “While, I wasn’t doing any work, I was organizing it. Still counts.”
She’s missed this. These simple interactions. She’s missed how well they’ve gone together, like pieces of a puzzle clicking together. Maddie can’t help the small huff when she thinks about it that way.
For obvious reasons Matthew didn’t believe her. And yet part of him wanted to. She rarely lied to him outright. He made brief eye contact as he looked back to back out of the driveway. “Mmhmm.”
He rolled the windows down and rested his elbow on the door. The wind blew pleasantly through his hair. Like nature running its fingers through his. He hummed softly, reveling in her presence.
Where Alfred’s laugh normally made him feel better, this time it put a pit in Kiku’s stomach. Was is a nervous laugh? A pity laugh? The longer Kiku thought about it the worse he felt. Wait. Did he say “date”? It took a second to process what he said. Wide eyed Kiku looked up at Alfred. Taken aback by his charming grin.
“A date?” His voice cracked. Alfred thought it was a date? To be fair it was pretty date-like despite the odd beginnings. Kiku fiddled with the zipper of Alfred’s jacket. “You want to do it again?”
Kiku definitely did. Words couldn’t express how happy he was. He couldn’t help but mirror Alfred’s smile.
Alfred attempted (keyword: attempted) to play cool, despite his nerves and feelings and red face. “I’d love to do it again.” It was a nonchalant reply, and he shrugged, despite the wide grin on his face.
He caught Kiku fiddling with the jacket out of the corner of his eyes, and his heart skipped several beats. “And you could get to wear the jacket all you want.” It was a cool jacket, Alfred knew with enthusiasm in his thoughts. Someone had joked that he had loved the jacket more than anything. Maybe it was true.
Maybe the jacket would also make someone else very happy.
A chuckle passed Kiku’s lips. He wasn’t sure what else to do. The smile fell from his face when Alfred mentioned the jacket. It suddenly became very heavy on his shoulders.
“Seriously?” It was Alfred’s favorite. He rarely went anywhere without it. Kiku knew full well how much it meant to Alfred. He gripped the hem of the jacket. “A-Are you sure? I know how much this means to you.”
A smile itched the corner of his mouth, but he tried desperately to keep it in check. As happy as the thought made him he didn’t want Alfred to know. The jacket was important. A symbol. It was an essential part of what made Alfred, well, Alfred.
The smirk transformed into a major smile. He knew he had her. Madeline wasn’t usually hard to intice when it came to food. It was one thing he adored about her. Her unabashed appetite was part of her charm.
Matthew chuckled and turned on his heel. He walked to the door and opened it. “After you, mon cherie.”
Maddie let out an exasperated sigh, rolling her eyes at him before walking out the door. “You knoooow,” she drawled out the sentence and called out over her shoulder again. “You usually send word before taking someone out on a date.”
Her laziness was evident in the slight mess of her house, but still she continued. “What if I was busy, you know,” She waved her hand around. “Watching a movie or sleeping.”
Matthew chuckled again, glancing back at the house before shutting the door. “I see you were very busy.”
He linked arms with her, leaning in close. “It kind of defeats the purpose of a surprise date if you know about it. Besides I’m sure whatever important things you might have been doing can wait. You can thank me later with a kiss.”
Matthew nudged her shoulder before opening the car door for her. He hopped in and started the engine. It felt good. To joke. To laugh. To have her there. He wanted it to last a little while.
Still shaky hands fell from Alfred’s hair. Suddenly embarrassment overhwhelmed him. He scooted away a bit. Despite the moderately positive reception he still felt off. Like something was wrong.
“T-Thank you…” Kiku sputtered. He didn’t know what to say. What to do. Kissing him again would seem selfish at this point.
By now the movie had ended. Kiku started at the selection screen. His heart still pounded, his ears on fire. He didn’t know what else to say. He bit his lower lip again. Shit.
Distraction. They both needed a distraction, but there was a wall? Rift? Something was between them now. Time to do what he did best–distractions.
Softly, he began to laugh, covering his mouth with one hand, but soon his small laugh began louder and after moments of nothing but his laughter filling the air, he wiped the tears out of his eyes. His face was still red, of course, but he felt a little better.
But now, he had regained his senses. His confidence, and most importantly, his ability to tease. “What a date, huh?” Alfred flashed a toothy grin over at Kiku. “We should do it again sometime.”
Nailed… it? Oh god, did he just make it worse, he definitely just made it worse.
Where Alfred’s laugh normally made him feel better, this time it put a pit in Kiku’s stomach. Was is a nervous laugh? A pity laugh? The longer Kiku thought about it the worse he felt. Wait. Did he say “date”? It took a second to process what he said. Wide eyed Kiku looked up at Alfred. Taken aback by his charming grin.
“A date?” His voice cracked. Alfred thought it was a date? To be fair it was pretty date-like despite the odd beginnings. Kiku fiddled with the zipper of Alfred’s jacket. “You want to do it again?”
Kiku definitely did. Words couldn’t express how happy he was. He couldn’t help but mirror Alfred’s smile.
Matthew crossed the kitchen. Placing a hand on her shoulder he leaned forward to whisper, “I think it can wait for an hour or two longer.”
He winked just to put her on edge. Did he know? Probably not to the extent she thinks. But he did know her and he knew procrastinating was a gift of hers. he doubt she minded another distraction. He jingled his keys in his pocket. Another incentive. His eyes met hers, brows raising again.
Put her on edge, he did indeed. She rolled her eyes, bumping shoulders with him. “Alright, alright, you win dammit.”
Madeline couldn’t help but laugh again, and realized just how much she’s actually missed him. What was the saying again? Absence makes the heart grow fonder?
Well, grow fonder her heart did, and did it exceptionally well. Her face was beginning to hurt from smiling so much, but she didn’t care about that. It would be nice to spend some time with him and out of the house, and especially away from the work that was beginning to pile up. She’d do it later, or something like that.
The smirk transformed into a major smile. He knew he had her. Madeline wasn't usually hard to intice when it came to food. It was one thing he adored about her. Her unabashed appetite was part of her charm.
Matthew chuckled and turned on his heel. He walked to the door and opened it. "After you, mon cherie."
