Loveless - (dakota/starlet)
Hi remember me saying I’d post on Christmas? I didn’t lie for once. Big Aromantic vibes in this one or I’m just projecting idk
Ao3 link
Fil coming back to the flat with a grin on his face and lipstick on their neck said all it needed to and Danny launched into an all out assault asking for the details.
Why did the topic of romance make her so uncomfortable? Why couldn’t she just be normal and feel like everyone else did. What could a partner do that a friend couldn’t? It made no sense and just reminded her of being an outsider as she always had been.
“You’re trying to live through me because you can’t get any” Fil laughed, Dakota glancing up to see Danny staring back in shock.
“Excuse you! I’m irresistible!” Danny barked back, the loud scouse accent making Dakota jump slightly.
“You sure are,” Cheddar nodded
Their relationship always confused them, they’d known each other for a long time being from two close by cities and being queer. Dakota had seen them kiss many times, sure, but figuring out what it meant was beyond her.
“You’re also cocky,”
“That is also true.”
Snickering at Cheddar's comment was a bad idea in hindsight as Danny’s eyes narrowed on Dakota, a sly smile growing on their lips as her heart leapt into her throat.
“Oh Dakota, what about you? You’re always very quiet on the topic of relationships. Are you secretly dating someone?”
The attention turning to them made the blonde want to bolt out of the room then and there but that would be too suspicious. What the hell could get them off her back but not clue them in on their inner turmoil.
“Uh, I’m just not very interested in dating. It’s too complicated. I'd rather use my energy on other things.” She put on her best uncaring act, not making Cheddar give her the look. It must have been a success even if they were fooled.
“Like rocks?”
“…Maybe.” Honestly geography was easier to understand than romance. At least there were textbooks and essays on it.
“Wait, you and Starlet aren’t dating?”
“No, why would you think that?” The geniune confusion in her voice took everyone aback, staring at her with the most how the fuck look she’d ever seen.
“What?”
“Okay one of you two tell her because I don’t think I can answer this without exploding.”
“How did you not realise you two act like a couple?”
“Oh Dakota, dear.”
Dakota could feel herself close to tears at the looks she was being given, everything was overwhelming why couldn’t they leave this topic alone.
But what was she doing wrong to give them that impression? Her and Starlet were close, sure but romance wasn’t on her mind; she was just their best friend.
“Okay, for one she always calls you darling and honey, no one else just you. The way you look at her like she’s the only person in the world, you’re always holding hands and cuddling when we have movie nights. The fact she’s here half the time sleeping in your room. It does kinda give relationship I can’t lie.” Fil spoke up, weary as Dakota stared back in wide eyed shock.
“We’re just friends, you can do all that stuff with your friends.”
“You can, sorry for assuming that.” Cheddar spoke softly, noticing the defensive tone in the blonde's voice. Dakota could feel herself about to crack, giving an unconvincing “it’s okay” before shooting up and leaving the flat with only the cardigan on her and her keys.
She needed space, focusing on keeping her breaths slow and steady as she sped down the stairs and out of the building, walking aimlessly around campus and cursing herself for not grabbing something warmer as the autumn air crept around her. At least the sunset was pretty, sight calming them enough to text Starlet and ask her to meet them on the bench that overlooked the whole of their campus.
Sitting there and people watching was one of Dakota’s favourite things. Staring as people came back from studying but feeling that same sinking feeling in her stomach as people kissed and held hands.
What was wrong with her? Why was this so foreign? Was she broken?
Starlet arrived just in time to stop her spiralling, putting a supportive hand on their shoulder and pulling Dakota into a warm embrace.
“Are you okay?”
“They asked me about romance and I panicked.”
“Oh god, I got that too.” She sat down next to Dakota, keeping their hands intertwined as she turned to face her.
“Am I broken?” Her voice cracked, the feelings she’d been holding back breaking out as tears clouded her vision.
“No, you’re just different than them. You’re not the only one. Everything you’ve said, I feel it too. Relationships are so complicated why do they have so many unwritten rules that make you a couple? Why can’t people just be friends?”
“I know right! I can get everything I’d get out of a partner from a friend.”
“You can! It’s so stupid how everyone is so focused on only one type of love.” None of if made sense to Starlet, that was one of the things her and Dakota had bonded over. Romance was so confused what was the point?
She then noticed how Dakota shivered as a strong gust of wind blew by, quickly plucking the hoodie out of her bag and passing it to the taller girl.
“I’m fine.” Her words were hollow as her body continued to tremble as the wind picked up again.
“You’re shivering, put it on.”
“But-“
“Dakota.” Starlets voice was sharp, making her shrink back and slide the hoodie on, thankful for the warmth even if it was hard to accept help sometimes.
“Hey, when it’s cold you become Dakota Shiver,” Starlet grinned, laughing as Dakota shoved her side lightly.
“You’re so stupid,” Dakota smiled at her fondly, a sight that always made Starlets smile grow wider. Her face just exuded joy sometimes and it was her favourite thing to see.
Dakota leant into her, letting Starlet wrap her arms around her torso to keep them close. She appriciated the silence, nestled up against the one person who understood her. Her mind wandered, wondering how she got so lucky to find someone on the exact same wavelength. Maybe that was what drew her in at first, a magnetic force of being kindred spirits and deep down knowing they were exceptionally compatible.
Her eyes fell on the smaller blonde, noticing the small smile on her lips as she gazed off, her thumb gently caressing the spot it rested on her thigh.
Dakota’s thoughts lingered on her earlier point, getting everything she could want from a friend, soemone who wouldn’t assume that her affection was flirting and not just a platonic display of love.
Someone like Starlet. Who got it.
Dakota kept her eyes trained on her, unconsciously smiling when her gaze flicked down to meet her stare.
Starlet raised an eyebrow, half expecting Dakota to say something though they stayed silent, contemplative or something.
She sat up, only then realising how close their faces were, Dakota’s desire for touch won out as she leant forward and planted a kiss onto Starlet’s cheek.
Starlet felt her whole body warm at the act, returning the gesture to a smiling, giggling Dakota who wrapped their arms back around and returned to the spot nestled against her chest.
“Don’t need a partner, I’ve got you.” She murmured, staring up at Starlet with a warm gaze.
“And I have you too.”