spring day

sandrone’s bed had always been the ideal napping spot, the temperature was always perfect and her bedding was so fluffy and soft. she wasn’t sure why she would always get angry with her when anyone could fall asleep so easily in here. for columbina though it was also sandrone that lulled her to sleep, even if she wasn’t in the room directly her presence lingered. it was the way her perfume seemed to be embedded on every surface and how the smell of her coffee or tea mixed with the scent of the treats she had that day wafted through the room. all of these things were familiar and homely enough to her that she felt at ease here in her room.

columbina always seemed to have her own special way of getting under sandrone's skin. the lingering was number one on the list of things that did to annoy her. the moon maiden always found her way back to sandrone's bed. it seemed even now in her weak state, she resorted back to old habits from her time in the fatui. they've spent countless nights like this. columbina sneaking into her room and the two of them sharing a much gentler form of their usual banter. only this time, it feels different. something's shifted and beneath that cold exterior she puts on, sandrone is terrified.

@demonidol

it wasn’t unusual for periods to be a few days late, so initially rumi didn’t panic. then a week had gone by and the nerves started setting in. she convinced herself it was fine, it’s happened before; she’ll start a week late and be on a new schedule for her cycle. but now it was nearing the end of the second week and still no period. she checked the period tracker app on her phone religiously for the past week, trying to see if she mistakenly put in the wrong dates last month. if she was pregnant there were multiple things to consider; huntrix, the general public knowing, celine’s reaction, and jinu. though out of everything, jinu was the least she was worried about. he wouldn’t abandon her and even if he wanted to he technically can’t considering she has his soul.

@starbind

jinu doesn’t respond right away. at first, it almost seems like it didn’t register in his mind. his thumb still idly scrolling for a second longer before the words catch up to him and the movement stops, screen dimming in his hand. ❝ . . . two weeks? ❞ his voice is quieter now, no longer containing the teasing tone it held earlier. he sets his phone down on his chest but doesn’t look at her immediately, like he’s giving himself a second to think — really think — before reacting.

his gaze finally shifts to rumi after a brief moment of silence. he keeps his expression neutral, as he's already worked through every scenario in mind and he's now focused on a more logical explanation before jumping to any conclusions right away. ❝ okay . . . that’s not nothing, but it’s not a guarantee either. stress can mess with it. i mean, you've been so busy lately working on huntrix's next comeback, ❞ he pushes himself up slightly against the headboard, one hand absently dragging down his face before resting there.

of course kafka wouldn’t help him, he was stupid for even asking her in the first place. after she laughed and shut the door in his face he needed to come up with a new plan to avoid callie. she was lingering in the living room and he would bet she was waiting for him. these days it felt like she was everywhere he went, around every corner, in every room, just waiting to taunt him. the ship was so big and yet felt immensely small with her around. he needed to pass her in order to go anywhere else otherwise he would be stuck in front of kafka’s door until it was safe. there was only one option he had left it seemed.

silver wolf doesn't look up as he bursts into her room unannounced. the glow of her screen reflects off her glasses as her fingers continue their rapid taps against the keyboard. as the door slams and she hears the sound of the lock clicking into place, she only sighs. ❝ you know, most people knock before initiating a side quest, ❞ after a moment, the game is paused and she swivels her chair to finally catch him making himself comfortable on her bed as if he's paying rent to be there. it's arguably the most pathetic she's seen him yet.

her heart beats erratically as she slowly sits up from mitsuki’s smoke infused couch. the couch her and mitsuki had sex on last night after their friend’s wedding. then proceeded to spend the rest of the night curled up in each other’s arms as they slept. the smell of cigarettes clings to the blanket pressing against her bare skin as well as her hair. aya finds it a little too comforting and that realization scares her somewhat. she knew she still harbored feelings for her ex girlfriend, but didn’t realize all it would take to reconnect was seeing each other again face to face.

if she wasn’t naked under the blanket she would have stood up. instead she casts a look of disbelief at mitsuki’s way and scoffs. “it took you eight years to decide that? it took a night of sex with me for you to decide that?”

the smell of cigarettes was dull to mitsuki's senses. it was a scent she was far too familiar with, and in that moment it was secondary to aya's perfume — something soft and feminine that always made mitsuki feel a little weak. she had been lying awake for a while now. eyes glued to the ceiling, arms wrapped aya, and her mind swimming with far too many thoughts for her to comprehend. all she knew is that something finally felt right. like everything she had felt was missing from her had returned all at once.

i won't lose you again . . . the words had been spoken barely above a whisper. like it was a promise she was making just for herself and hadn't expected aya to hear. contrary to what aya had assumed, it hadn't taken eight years and one night back in bed with her for mitsuki to decide that she had made a mistake. it was that very day when things came to end that mitsuki had realized just how royally she had fucked everything up.

the breakup had been amicable. long distance wasn't working out for either of them and between mitsuki's busy schedule and the time difference, it felt like they barely spoke to each other. so they decided to end it before they started to resent each other. at least if they couldn't be together, they could at least keep their friendship. that same night when she went to bed in her shitty apartment in southern california is when it finally dawned on her that this was all her fault.

even if it were amicable, she new that her decision to move to america without aya was what truly ruined things between them. even if her career were to take off and she made a name for herself here, nothing would ease the guilt she felt and fill that hole beneath her ribcage. she could have swallowed her pride and called aya that very night — pour her heart out, beg for forgiveness. but she couldn't bring herself to face the fact that she had broken aya's heart. her own heartache she could handle, but knowing she had caused aya so much pain was something she couldn't handle.

she willed herself to not roll her eyes and protest because the fact of the matter is jinu has been polite. save the very first time they met when he bumped into her and took her juice, but she’s letting that pass since she let him distract her. he’s been nice and oddly enough rumi has been enjoying his company and talking to him. even his teasing, though it sometimes got under her skin, was charming. maybe there was something wrong with her or it was the demon part of her reaching out and begging for companionship with someone who understands.

“my intentions? that’s hilarious coming from you. i have more to lose than you do in this world, i think my intentions are clear enough.” she only wishes she knew his intentions; he’s been keeping her secret about her patterns, but why? maybe it didn’t matter to her too much considering she keeps seeing him time and time again. he was special, jinu probably knew that and wanted her to say it. but admitting that to him would only boost his ego and embarrass her. “as for the dates,” she gives him a dry look. “i have a whole list of men lined up to meet. you’re date three and date four is later tonight.” if only he knew rumi has never been on a date in her life. she can practically hear him teasing her about it already.

❝ oh, so this is a date then? ❞ out of everything she said, that was the only part he latched onto. jinu knew she wasn't being serious, just returning the banter. this constant back and forth between them every time they would meet up had become entertaining for him. there was also some part of him — deep down that he won't admit to any time soon — that looked forward to it. he liked how rumi held her own against him. she never backed down and gave him just as much sass, maybe even more, in return.

❝ a whole list of men lined up, huh? ❞ he questions with a brow raised. slow and unconvinced, like he’s savoring every word she’s just handed him. his arms fold over his chest as he angles his body toward her. not fully, just enough to make it clear she has his attention now more than the whale shark does. ❝ then i’m honored you managed to squeeze me in between your very busy dating schedule. ❞

there’s a beat where he watches her, eyes flicking to the braid she not so subtly moved to hide her face. he caught the blush. she should know by now he never misses anything. the corner of his mouth lifts and it's soft, but undeniably smug. ❝ but if i’m date number three, ❞ he continues, leaning slightly closer so his voice drops just enough for only her to hear over the hum of the aquarium's background noise, ❝ you should probably know i’m terrible at sharing. ❞

he straightens again, eyes drifting back to the whale shark as if he didn’t just say something so bold to her. ❝ . . . and yeah, ❞ he starts, his tone softening into something quieter, more genuine. it's the kind of honesty he only ever let's slip when she isn’t looking directly at him. ❝ i guess i do like hanging out with you. ❞ then before she can react and catch him being sincere, he gives her a sideways glance and adds with that infuriating little half-smirk: ❝ don’t let it go to your head. ❞