a kaider fic where Cinder happens to get pretty drunk one evening, which is somewhat unlikely of her to do, but Kai, being sober, is just taking care of her and watching her go from sarcastic, sassy and aloof Cinder to a complete softy. The whole time he’s helping guide her comfortably to bed she’s just confessing her undying love for him, but as if it’s a big secret of hers. Like (slurring her words) “Kai, I’m so in love with you. Promise you won’t tell anyone?” And he thinks it’s very cute and funny. + Other stuff she loves about him, like his hair, that she might not so casually and deeply admit she admires
YEAH YEAH YEAH LET'S SPEED WRITE THIS
Kai stared at the empty glasses of champagne crowding Cinder's seat with amazement and bit of envy because stars knows how useful those glasses would have been an hour earlier. But it was his wife's empty chair that concerned him most when he told her to sit still while he said goodbye to the ever so bland and boring diplomats around ten minutes ago.
There were three glasses of champagne when he found her and now there were nine. How much could a girl drink in ten minutes?
He sighed, rubbing his forehead as he went to go look for her. Luckily, most of the important people had left already so they wouldn't have any gossip to bring home, had they found her. Who knows how unpredictable she was acting under the influence? He couldn't really tell because her attitude changes depending on her alcohol intake.
He walked around the ballroom where servant droids were putting away decorations and storing away all the tables. An event of appreciation for all the Commonwealth diplomats and their spouses had taken place here in the palace with Kai as its host. He wanted to congratulate his bureaucracy for all the hard work he's seen them do, which was evident with how much the Commonwealth had changed for the better. So he gave a party and speech where he encouraged to relax and drink. Unfortunately, the partners of the politicians took the command "drink" a little too seriously, including his own. He had seen many men and women drag their flushed and smiling spouse away before they could cause embarrassment.
Now he had to go haul his own, maybe not flushed but definitely smiling girlfriend to their bed, if he could find her. He tried to act normal as he walked on the marble floors. Human servants would bow, he would smile, and asked androids if they'd seen the empress. They all answered no with apologies until one droid lit up.
"Yes, I have seen Her Majesty at the bar thirty seconds ago."
His stomach dropped. He knew Cinder had a rather high tolerance to alcohol than most because her processing system, something about it made alcohol pass through her system faster, but she could still get drunk. And he suspected by now, if she wasn't already, she was very drunk.
We walked as fast as he could around the droid to bar where were his wife was asking the bar droid for spiked lemonade. He approached her carefully, as to not spook her because in this state she could harm herself.
"Please, one more drink!" His girlfriend begged the android bartender. "I swear I'm not drunk."
"Based on the alcohol percentage of the cocktails you drank and your height and body weight, my estimate is that you are severely under the influence. I advise you to not consume any more alcohol tonight." The male robotic voice responded. Cinder pouted and threw her body over the counter.
Kai huffed in surprise. In the nearly two years he'd known her, he'd never seen her under the influence. At least, not this badly. What triggered her to drink so much? Did someone say something? Or was she feeling particularly rebellious tonight?
Cinder giggled to herself as she traced the empty glass with her fingers. Kai got nervous at her proximity with the fragile cup as she wasn't even looking at it. He made his move them and very gently laid a hand on her shoulder blade.
She jumped at his touch, wildly flinging the glass, but Kai smoothly whisked it out of her grasp. She spun around and looked at him with her once nicely-done hair covering her eyes.
Her face burst out in a big smile as she recognized him. "It's you." She mumbled.
He couldn't help but smile back. Even in this delirious state, she was adorable. "It's me. You tired?"
Cinder tried to swipe the hair out of her eyes with not avail. Kai helped her out, tucking the soft chocolate strands behind the fizz of her ears. "Nah. I mean- A little." She paused, quirking her mouth to the side. "Thanks. Is it time for bed?"
Kai checked his watch for her sake; he already knew it was late. "Yes, it's way past our bedtime." False. As policy makers, their bedtime was way later than now on an average day. But tonight was an event, so it meant they could sleep in. How rare.
Cinder frowned. "Crap." She zoned out for a second. Kai gulped, wondering if he should snap her out of it, when she started giggling. "Don't tell that bartender guy, but I think I'm drunk." She proceeded to snort and laugh even louder. Panicking, Kai covered them both with his back by pressing them to the counter. He didn't want the lingering party-goers to ridicule the new Lunar Diplomat for having a too little self-control or some manure like that. Hopefully, no one recognized them.
"Why are you drunk?" He asked, half-guessing she wouldn't give a clear answer.
Her giggle fit became a soft chuckle as she pressed her face to his stomach and played with the buttons of his dress shirt. Kai's hand naturally found the base of her head and stroked her hair slowly. "Thorne said I never lived if I didn't get absolutely wasted at at least one formal event, so I-I wanted to prove him wrong but then I-I got g-got mad and it was too late to stop so I kept going." She chuckled. "And I kept going. And it felt too fun to stop."
She lifted her chin upwards so her gaze could peer into his, so large she was practically doe-eyed. "You're not mad at me, right?"
It was his turn to laugh. "Of course not, my love. I'm just confused. This isn't something I've seen you do-"
"Oh good. I was worried." She sighed and wrapped her arms around his torse. He froze for a second, then leaned into her embrace.
"How about we go to my room tonight? I know you like it better than yours." He tempted.
He could feel her smile grow. "Yes please!"
Despite her enthusiasm, it was hassle to get to his room. He had rolled up his sleeves in concentration and had one arm stiff against her waist; the other arm opened doors and stole things from her oppurtunist hands. Her body squirmed against his grip relentlessy, excited by every idea that crossed her mind.
For example, she would ask to do outlandish things she would laugh at while sober. 'We should go swimming!' She offered. Kai bit his tongue from noting that she couldn't swim. 'The pool is closed' he said in return. 'How about a stroll in the market?' She begged. Kai stopped himself from groaning. 'The market is closed.' He explained. 'Can we visit the gardens?' she asked. Kai wouldn't have minded that if she wasn't drunk. 'Can we please go to bed?' He countered.
Kai couldn't help but wonder why she was commenting this. Perhaps they were things she truly wanted to experience but was too embarrassed to say while sober. He wished to tell her someday that it is okay to want these things, even if they sound stupid or silly. Everyone yearns for crazy things, even borderline outlandish. It's not so embarrassing.
At that Cinder stopped, causing Kai to almost trip over himself. "What's wrong?" He walked in front of her and cupped her face. Worried, he asked her again.
"I'm sorry. I'm annoying you." She apoligized, lip trembling.
Kai's heart broke a little at her genuine sadness. "No you're not, no reason to say sorry, my dearest."
She sniffed. Her hands slowly and clumsily made their way up his arms to her cheeks and rubbed his wrists. She seemed to do it absent-mindedly as her gaze landed away from his stare. Stars, even while out of it she possessed crazy tons of power over him. The smallest motion of her fingertips made his knees go weak.
"I was thinking about you. Earlier." She started to confess.
"Oh? I hope you only thought good things if me."
"Oh yes. I like the silly little names you give me. Like 'love'" She giggled. "No you're my love! Kai-" She gasped, her whole body jumping with the motion. Suddenly, her eyes widened with an inexplicable craze and gripped his wrists with such tightness that his skin started to go red. "I have secret."
"You do?" He leaned in with curiosity. Her earlier words made his cheeks go pink. He was so glad to know she liked being called those nicknames. It was something he picked up from his father growing up, and it came so natural to him that he couldn't keep himself from calling her pretty names. "You can trust me, sweetheart."
"O-okay. It's so secret, though. It's secret secret. But you can't tell anybody. Anybody. Promise?" Her voice began to slur over.
Kai nodded enthuisiastically. "I promise."
"Kai, I'm so in love you. Like super in love with you." Cinder shut her eyes and shook her head sporatically. "Don't tell anyone, you promised!"
Kai's body shook with silent laughter at her 'secret secret'. He ducked his head so she wouldn't misinterpret the pure joy of his grin for a mocking one. Stars, he was thinking of proposing soon: he sure hoped she was madly in love with him. "I know, darling." He tilted his head to the side and met her wild eyes again. "Hey, wanna know my secret secret."
She nodded, bobbing her head (that was still cradled by both of their hands by the way) like an apple in water. "I won't tell anyone. I'm good at keeping secrets."
"I know." He rubbed her cheek with his thumb. "I'm like super in love with you too." He flashed one of his winning smiles, the one with the slight exposure of his teeth, and the one Cinder confessed to liking the most.
Her jaw hung open for a bit. He gently pushed it closed as she laughed. "We have the same secret!"
"I know. Crazy right?" They giggled in unison. Cinder might have snorted. "Let's go to bed, my love."
"Okay." She pulled away from him and paused, expecting him to lead the way. He hesitated, missing her embrace for a moment, then let her latch onto his arm and carried on.
She got less distracted by her impulsive thoughts and more analytical. She was quiet now as she turned her ever studious eye towards him. What was she thinking? He tensed slightly at her silence. Maybe she suddenly felt the urge to turn away from him. Yet, she still held onto him tightly.
Before he could overthink himself to ruin, she spoke softly. "You have a very nice neck."
Kai felt heat rise up into the same spot she complimented. "Thank you?" He responded, a surprised chuckle ripping through his lips. They paused, mere steps away from his room.
She smiled widely. "You're welcome." Her eyes glanced at his blush that was unrelentlessly climbing up his skin. "I love when it does that too." She giggled.
Kai rubbed his neck with his free hand. "What, blush?"
"Oh yes. It's so adorable. It's like giving you away when you try to hide something." Though with an already slurred speech, she adapted a lisp. She was the adorable one.
"You're absolutely right, Cinder." He started to pace to his door, shaking his head with soft laughter.
She clumsily followed him as he walked in. "You got a nice frame too. At first glance, you look skinny, but your shoulders and back prove that you got some muscle on you." She giggled and traced his back.
Kai spun around, his laughter growing in volume. She continued on.
"And your hair. Kai, how I love your hair!" She threw herself in his arms, taking the chance to run her fingers through the top of his head. "It's always so soft, and smells so good, and so pretty."
She liked his hair! For some reason, he felt like he was in grade school again and received confirmation that his crush liked him back.
Her eyes were glittering at this point. They might be man-made but they held so much emotion. They were beautiful.
Her gorgeous smile lit up every corner of her face. Taking a page out of his book she cupped his face and leaned him towards her. "You're so pretty." Her eyes flickered around his face, taking him all in. Kai has been studied his whole life, and, though at first he resented it, he grew passive to the action. Now, he reveled in her gaze. It may sound selfish, but he wanted to hear what parts she liked about him, what parts she found attractive, and even what parts she was repelled by. The glitter in her eyes twinkled even stronger as she put parts together. "So, so pretty."
"I think you're pretty." He murmured.
"I like how you talk to me." She confessed, matching his tone. "So sweet. So gentle. So genuine."
Kai bit his lip from chuckling at her lisp that returned again. Unfortunately, he was not strong enough. His body rocked with laughter and he dropped his head into his should, hugging her tight.
"I like your hugs too." She said, hugging him back. He continued to laugh.
Once his fit died out, he noticed how silent she became. He pulled away worried only to find dropping eyelids and an unsteady posture.
"You tired?" He asked. She nodded, her gaze unfocused. "Let's sleep."
He picked her up bridal style, handling the full weight of her metal extremities for quick short steps to his bed. He lay her down gently and she curled up into fetus position, already half-asleep. After tucking her in, he watched her for a second, how her chest moved slowly, and her face relaxed into a peaceful expression. He adjusted her hair again and moved to change into clothes for sleeping.
Cinder startled and grabbed his arm, pulling him down weakly. "Don't leave me." She croaked, falling asleep again.
He chuckled, giving up on his attempt to sleep in something comfier. Kai at least was able to snag off his tie and belt. "Me? Never." He yawned, hugging her waist.
"Goodnight Your Majesty." She mumbled, barely audible.
Sleep was already invading his mind. "Goodnight my Cinder."
A/N: SO SORRY ANON FOR TAKING SO LONG. I FORGOT THIS WAS IN MY DRAFTS. I'm posting this for the other anon that asked if I had any fics... which I do! Anyways, I'm sure this is riddled with grammar mistakes and ooc, but idc, I DID IT. Hope you enjoy somewhat (I DID LOVE WRITING THIS CONCEPT)
tagging: @just2bubbly @cinderswrench @cindersassasin @the-wee-woo-royal @deprivedmusicaljunkie @crescentchat @wheresmymom-imlost @salt-warrior @rapunzelfromthemoon @briggycat @impossiblesuitcase @kaider-is-my-otp @definitelynotisabel @wassupnye @therealkaidertrash21 @cinderswirecutters @hayleblackburn (these are for my kaider ONLY fics so please ask if you want to be tagged or removed <3)
I liked your story, I don't want to read Cinder's angst like this, I need her remembering, and seeing her happy with her husband and children (and her Rampion Crew friends) gathered for a meal or something similar
Thank you !
hii, thank you sending in the ask! happy to know that you liked it :) wrote something that isn't necessarily happy Cinder but isn't sad Cinder either. hope you like it!! <3
If you are first time reading, better read after this, not mandatory but it will make more sense
Masterlist
Distant Memories
Ship: Kaider
Words: 2.1k
Genre: Angst
A/N: SOSN isn't canon in this fic, Future fic
Cinder's Perspective-
"Stars above, I'm so full," Thorne groaned, stretching his legs to pop the joints that had been sitting for a while now.
"For once I agree, it was a lovely meal," Scarlet adds in praise.
Cinder and Julian murmur their thanks, both quite pleased with the work they had done. Julian grins at her and mouths a 'told you so' making Cinder roll her eyes. She had freaked over making dinner at such short notice for all of them, Julian had assured her on multiple accounts but it was unheard of. Cinder wasn't necessarily great in the kitchen, more times than not she broke dishes and glassware unknowingly. Her metal hand held the containers too tightly, resulting in cracks that made the container and food stored within discard-worthy.
"I'd get this cleaned. You spend time with them," Julian told her as he collected the used cutlery.
"You don't have to. Let me help you, I'll spend time with them later. Besides all of them are staying for a while." She argued back, removing the leftovers in small containers. They might reheat it and consume it tomorrow. Julian always said that "leftovers taste the best" to which she begrudgingly agreed.
"Love, if the signs are right, Thorne would be out before we are done. So go, I have this covered," he said nudging her out of the kitchen. She goes on her toes and kisses him, giving in to his requests as she mumbles an 'I love you', a sense of happiness setting over as she joins the most reckless people she has come to love.
"Would you guys like to do something?" She asked, they had some board games from Julian's childhood in the basement. It could be fun to play them with a large crowd, she thought.
"Cinny, I'd love to join you, but I have eaten enough to sleep for days. You guys continue without me," Scarlet admits, Cinder chuckles softly, hugging Scarlet through her large belly. She shows Wolf and Scarlet to the guest room.
As she walks down, she thinks how not many would be eager to play a competitive game on the heavy meal they had had. She is surprised to see the crowd she returns to, Cress and Iko are glued to the screen watching some romcom. Jacin and Winter are nowhere to be seen, so she assumes they have decided to call it a night too.
Thorne is sprawled on the couch from where he calls her, "I'd- well I wanted to talk about something."
Cinder's interest peaks as she joins him on the couch, forcing him to sit to make room for her.
"Go on," she tells him, Thorne glances at his wife and Iko sitting on the thick carpet and towards the kitchen before saying, "Maybe somewhere alone."
This alarms Cinder, she is on her feet in an instance suggesting if the backyard is good enough. Thorne nods as he follows her out through the back door. The chill of a November night stills them, the icy breeze blowing in their face.
"Do you want to go out in the cold?"
"Not the worst I have faced," Thorne addresses, passing her as he walks barefoot on the lawn. The dew on the grass blades feels cool against her skin, the moisture sipping through.
"What's this about?" She asks, diving straight into the topic. She wasn't the one to beat around the bush, her nerves couldn't support the anticipation. She skimmed through the chats they had had in the recent week, trying to find something that Thorne might have dropped that reflected something being out of place.
"I don't even know if this concerns you—" Thorne says, Cinder cuts him off, "—Thorne put it in words, you are making me worried sick."
"I have got an invitation," he says at last shoving his hand into pockets. He stares into the night sky, the darkness against the twinkling lights of multi-storey buildings. The moon shining bright above, Cinder looks at it thinking of old times. Luna and her once-last lifetime there.
"That's all?" She asks exasperated. Unable to fathom how a single invitation has got Thorne so troubled. He fails to answer her prior question so she continues," From who? Your Parents? But- you mentioned that you cut ties with-"
"It was from Kai," he snaps, stopping her from bringing up his parents.
Kai. Stars.
She is shocked over what to say, so she silently stares ahead at the city lights spread around her house. When the initial shock had calmed, she asked, "What does it say?"
"He invited me and Cress, well, to the New Year's Dinner. He says 'It's for the old time's sake'." Thorne described, his voice dulling out on nostalgia.
Cinder isn't able to express her surprise in words. 'For old times sake' was such a cliche phrase but it was just like Kai to use it to make a point across. She shouldn't have expected any less, he was a born diplomat.
The last time they had spent New Year's together felt like ages ago, it was ages ago- when they were still dating. It was Cinder and Kai and everyone and not whatever else this has become.
Cinder had last seen Kai at an event when she was required to be present as ex-Lunar Queen for the Intergalactic Peace Treaty modifications. Then, she had been like a stranger to him, she couldn't recall if they had exchanged formalities, if she had even been in the same room with him.
"And what did you reply?" She asked trying to keep the conversation going so her mind won't betray her.
"I'm here to ask you that," he says, causing Cinder to spin around.
"The New Year's in 4 days and you haven't replied yet?!" She almost yells, forcing herself to keep her tone in check. She doesn't need anyone to know she is talking about Kai in her backyard while her husband washes dishes.
"Cinder, things didn't end on the best of notes. For fucks sake, I'm sure he believes I'd decline the invite. He said 'I understand if you have plans made and can't make it'- It's like he knows I'd decline." Thorne points out, his frustration clearly showing.
Cinder does seem to forget that her breakup with Kai resulted in a lot of things ending on bitter notes. Especially for Kai.
She hates to look at it this way but it felt like she stole Kai's friends from him. Julian always said that Kai didn't put the effort to be friends with the crew afterwards and she shouldn't blame herself for that but Julian didn't know Kai like she did. Kai willingly stopped putting in the effort because he believed he wasn't entitled to their friendship- unlike Cinder.
She knew how he had sent gifts for Winter and Jacin on their wedding day, choosing to not attend the small ceremony for personal reasons. Iko who was still part of the Lunar administration often came across Kai, she never brought it up to Cinder but knew the friendship was civil for the two. He let all of them go along with Cinder, those years ago.
"Are you willing to go?" She asks, her voice calmer this time, curls around in one of the outside chairs. Thorne joins hers, putting his legs on the hardwood of her coffee table.
"Yes," he admits, now staring at her. Cinder already knew the answer yet something deep inside her hoped for a different one.
"Why?"
"Cinder," Thorne sighs, his hand pulling at his face before he continues, "All those years ago I chose you and I don't regret it. I love you but I loved Kai too. You got everyone out of the relationships but Kai didn't get anyone. It is foolish to think that one feels not guilty for not being there for a friend."
Cinder continues to remain silent, she knows after the revolution Thorne had spent a lot of his time at the Commonwealth. So much so that it was clear, he and Kai were better friends than them. The break-up took a lot from Kai- friendship with Thorne being one of them. Thorne's words had opened up some wounds she liked to keep unattended. The guilt encompassed her being like always when Kai was brought up in conversation.
Realizing his misstep, Thorne pulls her chair towards him, "I'm not blaming you, Cinder but I want to give Kai a chance. I promise I won't bring you up with him or him anywhere near you. It's just- his invite reminded me of the 19-year-old lost boy without friends and it broke my heart. I want to be there for his happiness and sadness like I was for yours. Like he was for mine."
She understands where he is coming from. Thorne and Kai had clicked after the revolution, one might have taken them to be brothers. Kai had helped Cress and Thorne transition into a settled life from their nomadic ways. Thorne wasn't much help when Kai needed it.
"Ok," she nods in approval. Thorne seems to not hear it, so he makes her repeat it.
"I don't mind if you visit Kai for New Year's," she says louder. He whispers a thanks, Cinder isn't sure what for.
"Do you think the others are invited too?" She asked, curiosity getting the better of her- if she would be having the same conversation with the others in the morning, the least would be to be prepared to talk about The Emperor who still unnerve her.
"I don't think so, he seemed hesitant to ask me. Can't imagine him asking everyone else," he wondered.
Cinder glances towards the door, Julian's working under the white light of the kitchen. Still doing dishes probably. She remembers her life as a mechanic a lifetime ago. Julian looks up through the window and catches her staring at him, he winks at her. She attempts to smile at him, but it's too dark for him to notice the smile lines not forming.
"Do you think it will be awkward?"
"Hell lot," Thorne laughs, "I don't know what to get him. Cress might know of something. It's been years since we last talked, it's going to be so weird."
She recoils on the inside but meeting Kai is Thorne's problem and she won't ponder it. Pulling her knees to her chest to bring herself some warmth, she says, "Thank you for choosing me."
"Cinder," he reprimands "It was my choice." Hearing his words, the conviction with which he says them, she smiles, sadness lingering. She curls in his side, head laid on his shoulder. They sit like that, lost in their own regrets and maybes.
"Do you ever think about maybe?"
A chuckle blooms through her lips unknowingly, she had thought about it so much- how she hadn't tried enough, how Kai wasn't cooperating, how she should have been closer, given up the crown sooner. It took a while to come to the realisation that they were doomed from the beginning. They never really stood a chance.
"Sometimes that's all I can think of," she admits softly in the dark, her words uttered more for herself than for Thorne.
Cinder had moved on from her relationship with Kai for some time now, she was married to Julian, someone she loved very dearly. More than Kai too. But Kai had seen something in her when no one wanted to look at Cinder.
When someone gives you that much attention and becomes a reason behind all your actions or habits, it's difficult to move past that without acknowledging how much they matter. Kai was that person to her.
Kai was no longer a lover but someone who would always be her well-wisher, no matter how harsh she might have been on him. It was just something he would always be, an admirable guy.
"It's strange how you guys were the ones that got everyone together only for you to not make it," he said, satire hitting every word.
Cinders overlooks the comment, "You should get him fondo from the place near your house. The one where you proposed Cress. He used to love it back then, might as well like it now," she suggests instead.
Thorne nods in acknowledgement and pats her head as he stands, "I'd take them along. Why don't we have some hot chocolate? It's getting cold out here- Julian bragged how he made the best ones! I'd like to taste them!"
"Oh, he absolutely does. We might have marshmallows to top it," she says, and seeing how Thorne continued to stand still, yells, "C'mon, hurry up! Think Julian might not be too tired to make it."
Thorne laughs, "He had made it for you even if he was asleep."
And as Thorne had mentioned, Julian does.
__
A/N: Hope I did your request justice, it wasn't very 'moving on' like because I tried replying for multiple requests with this!
Cinder is booted off to a superhero-hopeful school. Scarlet is horribly homesick. Cress is hiding a gutting secret. Winter is battling instability in her mind and in real life. With their pasts looming over them, can they unite and anchor their problems? Or will Levana get her way?
Featuring all Kaider, Wolflet, Cresswell, and Jacinter.
read on ao3
The acceptance letter had come a few days after the exam (the exam being fighting a 3 story tall robot, and grueling written tests) and Peony had been excited. Pearl had gone into a jealousy-fueled tantrum, and it seemed like Adri was about to, until she realized it was one less unwanted adopted child in her small apartment.
Cinder herself though… she didn’t know how to feel about it. She had gone through the trials out of suggestion from super-powerless-Peony, and also Cinder not being able to bear the thought of finishing school without Iko, but she really wasn’t expecting to actually make into the prestigious Lunar School of Heroes.
Her power was magnetic limbs, and sure that helped with defeating a giant metal robot, but were her powers applicable to actual battle? Are there evil robots in the Eastern Commonwealth capitol?
Cinder fiddled with her suitcase tag, anxious for Iko’s arrival. She heard the doors in the bus’s storage components open and shut. While Cinder had brought a backpack and one large suitcase, it wasn’t out of character for Iko to bring everything she owned. All her obnoxiously high heeled boots, loads of makeup despite only a strict selection of it, evening gown after evening gown.
Finally she heard four pairs of footsteps ascend onto the bus.
“Hey loner,” Iko said, strutting down the narrow aisle. “Can I have a seat here?”
Cinder offered a scoff. “Well duh. But now that you say that, there’s no one else on this bus.”
Iko threw her heavy backpack under the seat across from Cinder, dramatically seating down in the cushy seat and stretching. “A lot of kids are getting picked up from the airport in the capitol. Some people from the European Federation, some from the African Union. The Republic, too.”
The bus engine purred and it lurched forward, merging into traffic. “Thank the stars for the universal language, I guess.”
Iko seemed to ignore when her eyes practically popped out of her head and she gasped. “ Oh! And Kaito Prince is going!”
This news surprised Cinder possibly just as much as it did Iko, but she repressed it as best she could. “How do you know? The acceptance list isn’t public.”
“Oh, you know. Me and Peony did some snooping. The registered students are semipublic to teachers, and one of the school’s staff members posted it online.” She twirled a blue thin braid in her manicured finger. “Exciting, right? You think he’ll be in our class?”
Cinder smiled at her friend’s antics. It was a little exciting. She tried to convince herself the only reason she was bouncing her leg up and down in anticipation was because he has the President’s son and not because he had the warmest penny-colored eyes, cutest dimples, and the most admirable lips she’d ever seen.
(Peony and Iko’s fangirling might have been rubbing off on her a little too much though.)
Maybe it was half and half, and maybe it didn’t matter.
The city was huge, and bustling, when they arrived a few hours later. Sleek, mountain tall buildings, floating pill capsule shaped ships, smooth railroads floating miles high.
Cinder and Iko came to New Beijing almost every week, but mostly through a less busy route. Iko would go into the city and shop and do... whatever it is that she did, and Cinder would be in some backway tech repair and installation market. But they haven’t travelled through the real, real entrance of the metropolis and it was stunning. All of her hi-tech mechanic dreams come true.
The bus had barely filled up since then, a girl with dark skin and shocking bright red eyes and another girl with blue scales running up her neck. After some slightly awkward small talk, Cinder found out their names were Fateen and Tashmi, both from the south of the Eastern Commonwealth. Cinder was thinking about how it was a bit oxymoronic, and without realizing it, the bus doors screeched open.
Her and Iko glanced out the window on the other side of the aisle, and immediately recognized the futuristic New Beijing Recreation Airport, with it’s grand fountains and marble tiles. Why did an airport have such a flashy entrance?
There was immediately a shift in weight in the vehicle, the first round of new classmates loading on. She watched each of them board the bus.
A blur of people squished by, some going to the back and others going to the first empty seat they could find. A few that stood out to Cinder was a girl with flaming curly locks, and another, petite blonde girl whos blue eyes were curiously scanning everything around her and- oh stars - a boy who was thrice the size of the blonde, and probably twice as big as everyone on the bus.
A tall guy with silvery hair in a ponytail, and right behind him- the chord of familiarity was struck in her brain. Dark and flawless skin, sleek black ringlets, an angelically soft face. Iko gasped, and the girl gave both of them a warm smile, revealing perfect teeth and 3 claw-like scars over her left eye. Cinder could barely give a weak grin back without gulping as they sat down in the seat behind them.
Iko slammed her elbow in the sides of Cinder’s ribs, suddenly and squealed while pointing; “Carswell Thorne! He’s sooo popular in the American Republic.” He seemed to have noticed her appreciation and shot her a wink and a sickeningly white toothed grin. Iko seemed to appreciate it though.
“Mind if I sit here? Doesn't look like there are any other seats available,” he said, leaning against Cinder’s chair.
“There’s plenty of open seats up front.”
“Of course you can!”
The girls said at the same time.
Unfortunately for Cinder, he selectively listened to Iko. But surely he won’t sit next to me?-
- Is exactly what he did one second later, placing his backpack on his lap.
“What can I say? I enjoy the company of good-looking ladies.” He winked again. “Good-looking ladies with even better powers I bet.”
“Oh, just simple old little energy redistribution. Nothing as your, uh, whatever your walking through walls thingy is.” Iko said.
He laughed, and (pretended) to wipe a tear from his eye. “Phasing, sweetheart. I can do a little more than walk through walls.” He turned to Cinder. “What about you?”
“Magnetic limbs.”
“And she forgot to mention a cybernetic brain!” Iko said, pointing to her forehead and crossing her eyes. Cinder knew she didn’t mean it to be offensive, but she shot her a glare anyway.
“Like a cyborg?” Carswell said, obviously not catching the tension.
Cinder gave him and Iko the sourest face she could possibly muster. At the same time, the bus door finally hissed shut and they were rounding their way out and into traffic.
“Hey, nothing wrong with that! I don’t think cyborgs are all that bad. I can’t speak for some of the preps here.”
“Preps?” Cinder scoffed, ignoring her anger for a few moments. “You look more preppy than anyone on this bus combined!”
Iko giggled and Carswell feigned shock, popping the collar of his shirt and looking away.
---------------
“Jealous of you. Honestly.” Emilie said, in the middle of straightening a blonde plait of hair. “Superheroes are super hot.”
Scarlet looked up from her phone, nervous that anyone heard that, but then remembered it was a facetime call and she had her earphones in. She only offered Emilie a shrug.
“Wh- seriously? No one? You sat by Carswell Thorne on the ship there, imagine what the rest of your classmates look like!”
“I’ve never met someone so full of himself, either. Imagine what the rest of my classmates are like.”
Emilie laughed and tucked away her hair straightener somewhere offscreen. “Lighten up. You’re in New Beijing. Like, the 2nd most beautiful city in the world. It’s nothing like Rieux.”
“I think that’s why I’m not loving it.” She tore her eyes away from her phone again, to look out the window. Scarlet had not liked Rieux for most of her life. The bullies from school, the gruellish farm work, so, so far from the rest of France. But the older she got, and the more time she took to listen to the sounds and smell the scents of the small town, the more she fell in love with it.
And when it seemed her love had hit a peak, an opportunity she could never pass up came along. If it wasn’t for her Grand-mere’s encouragement though, Scarlet might have never left.
When she looked back to her phone, Emilie was giving her a sad, but sweet smile. “You’ll adjust, okay? And if you don’t, there’s always the Parisian Hero Institute. They’ll take your Lucky Shot any day.”
“Yeah, probably.”
Emilie turned around, looking at the clock on the back wall. She was already slinging her backpack over her shoulder and picking up her phone, the angle a less flattering angle. “Work starts soon. Gilles definitely wants you to come back, by the way.”
Scarlet laugh was drowned out by the ambient bus chatter. “Bye, Em.”
“Bye!” The blonde kissed the camera, and the call ended.
Scarlet sighed happily before shutting her phone off, looking out the window.
Emilie was right, though. She could adjust to New Beijing, like she did with Rieux. Her vision glazed over the steel beams, synthetic grass… It was making her dizzy.
“Homesick already?”
Scarlet whipped her head towards the voice, the seat across the aisle from her. Jade, sharp eyes met hers, and she recognized them from the ship. She didn’t even realize he was twice her size until she gave him a quick up-down.
“Yeah.”
“Where are you from?”
“France. In Rieux, actually.”
“Near Morbihan?” He asked in his thick accent, leaning in.
“You’re from France too?”
“Ah, no. The Isreali Districts. But, I have travelled along the west coast before. It’s very pretty.”
“I’ve never left France. I’m sure it’s beautiful in the Districts too. I guess you have family there?”
“Yeah, my mom and my-” a small sigh came from his lips. “-Brother.”
Scarlet beamed at him. “I’m sure he misses you.”
He gave her a pointy toothed, carnivorous smile. “I’m Wolf.”
“cinder, please,” kai begged. “you haven’t slept in days,”
“yes i have,” cinder argued. “just because you’re not awake to see it doesn’t mean i haven’t slept,”
kai massaged his temple. “cinder, what’s the earliest you’ve slept this month?”
she had to pause for a moment. not because she didn’t have an answer, but because kai wouldn’t exactly like it. “around 3?”
kai pursed his lips. “and what’s the latest you’ve gotten up?”
again, she knew her answer wouldn’t be met with anything less than disdain, but she couldn’t bring herself to lie. besides, she suspected he already knew the answer. “7-ish?”
kai sighed. “cinder, this is getting out of hand. why don’t you see a therapist?”
now it was cinders’ turn to purse her lips. “not happening,” she stated flatly, turning to leave the room.
kai got up to follow her. “why not? i think it would really help you,”
“we already discussed this. i’m not interested in someone poking around my brain and trying to find all of my life’s secrets only hand me a bottle of pills that were made for people without metal frontal lobes,” she crossed her arms.
“there’s a doctor, you know,” kai said softly. “one who specializes in treating cyborg patients. i think you should talk to him,”
cinder tilted her head, weighing her options. but her mind was made up. “i don’t trust easy, kai. i’d lie to him and he’d give me the wrong prescription and we’d be back where we started,”
“you don’t have to lie, cinder,” kai said, frustration sleeping into his voice. “just tell him you’ve been having trouble sleeping and you want a medication to fix it,”
“i just told you, i don’t trust easy,” she bit her lip. “i don’t know if i could trust him,”
kai brushed a strand of hair out of her face. “trust me on this?” he asked softly.
cinder felt her defenses weakening. “promise me i can stop if i want?”
kai looked her straight in her eyes. “you have my word,” he swore.
cinder sighed, a faint smile playing on her lips. “okay,” she agreed. “i trust you,”
Yay!! It’s Scarlet’s birthday!!! Tbh wut is a plot??? This fic has like no plot and it’s not very good quality, but Scarlet’s birthday definitely warranted a fic, so here it is! If you actually read, I hope you like.
Word Count: 771
“Is Scarlet okay with us being here?” Cinder asked the rest of the group in a hushed tone.
Even though the light was dimmed, Cinder could see the guilt set in on Wolf’s face. “I didn’t exactly tell her we were doing anything for her birthday.”
Winter gasped, “Scarlet’s going to be mad if she doesn’t like this.” Jacin and Cress nodded in agreement.
Cinder sighed. They were all here. All except Scarlet at the moment. It was her birthday, and Wolf had invited them all to come out. Even though none of them would ever admit it, knowing now that they might have to face Scarlet’s wraith was scary.
“I see her!” Kai yelled from across the room. Immediately, the room hushed. Cress turned off the lights, and they all bolted behind the couch.
“Wolf?” Cinder heard Scarlet ask.
Everyone behind the couch looked to Wolf. Slowly, he gave them a countdown. Three. Winter almost bolted up, but Jacin stopped her. Two. This time, Thorne pretended to get up, but Cinder shoved him back down. What a goof-ball. One. “Happy Birthday!” The whole crew shouted simultaneously, and Scarlet looked so shocked.
Through all the excitement, Cinder heard Winter giggle, “Yay Scarlet-friend! You’re twenty-one now!”
Scarlet looked through the crowd. “You guys are all here,” She whispered, almost in tears.”
“Of course we are!” Throne shouted, “When Wolf invited us out, none of us would miss this invitation for the world!”
Cinder saw that Scarlet was beaming now. “You guys,” she laughed, “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Cress’s timid voice spoke up, “We wanted it to be a surprise!” Everyone laughed, including Wolf.
“Well I was surprised,” Scarlet admitted, “I thought it was just going to be me and Wolf. Oh, and of course I can’t forget the chickens. Is there anyone else we would have been with?” She looked to Wolf.
Wolf shook his head.
“Oh yeah! There is someone else we would have celebrated with. How could I have forgotten about our baby that’s on the way!”
The news sunk in fast. Winter was the first to acknowledge it.
“Scarlet!” She exclaimed.
Cinder was just glad she happened to be facing the same way as Wolf. His facial expressions were by-far the sweetest thing she had ever seen. Finally, when he was beaming more than Cinder ever thought he could, he muttered, “I’m going to be a dad.”
***
The rest of the night was more of a baby shower than a birthday party. Scarlet and Wolf’s future baby was all anything could talk about, and Cress was already planning a real baby shower.
“Who’s going to be the godmother?” Winter asked Scarlet, and amid all the questions, she looked completely bewildered.”
“I hadn’t given it any thought,” Scarlet replied, with what Cinder knew was honesty.
Winter’s face shown. “Can I be the godmother, pretty please Scarlet? I’ll give the baby extra presents for birthdays and Christmas, oh please Scarlet?”
Scarlet just rolled her eyes. “Sure, Winter.” Winter did a little dance, and near the end, Cinder saw Jacin watching her with such awe, that Cinder knew she would be married soon.
***
Scarlet was exhausted. Normally, she could party all night with no issues at all. Stars, she was only four weeks into her pregnancy. It was only getting worse from here.
She was going to sit down when the doorbell rang. “All go get it!” She called to the rest of the crew who was partying in the kitchen.
Opening the door, Scarlet was greeted by shining blue dreadlocks. “Iko!” She exclaimed, looking behind her. There were two more figures. One, Scarlet remembered as the grumpy ex-palace guard, Kinney. The other she didn’t recognize, but she was holding Iko’s hand.
“Come on in guys!” Scarlet gestured to the house.
Iko nodded, “Do you remember Kinney and Tressa? Kinney and I had a break between hunting wolf soldiers, so we decided to drop by here. And Tressa’s his sister. She’s my girlfriend now.”
“Well make yourselves at home guys. I’m really tired so I might go to bed soon, but everyone’s welcome to stay.”
***
“Scarlet!” Iko practically screamed after Cress telling her she was pregnant, “Why didn’t you tell me when we came in?”
She shrugged, “It didn’t seem important at the time.”
“Well, it most certainly is important. No wonder you’re tired! Come on tell me all your plans!”
What plans? Scarlet didn’t have any. But she knew, talking to Iko, that she had great friends. Friends who cared about her and the new baby to come. This was the best birthday she would ever have.
She felt the snowflakes kiss her nose with eager lips and linger on her eyelashes with clinging hugs. Between the falling flecks she saw the white powder decorate her hair until even the braided locks turned the glossed color of winter. Every breath she took was filled with the crisp, cold air brimming her with frost.
Somehow, her skin never felt the nip of the snow surrounding her. The flakes melted into tickling pools absorbed into her body without confliction. And yet, the shivering overtaking her shoulders came from a deep knit chill she could not escape.
Soon, Cinder realized the cold consuming her was not around her,
but within her.
