#applepastry

A 16-year-old runaway bride isn’t something you see often, but that doesn’t make it any better.

Poor Noel had just come out to his parents- their precious little daughter was a boy- and how did they take it? Awful. They took it awful.

I mean, of course they would. No one had ever claimed to be a different gender before. She must be insane! They must get her a man instantly! So on that same barren day he went against his better judgement, he was getting dressed for his arranged marriage. 

By the gods he wished he trusted his gut.

This wasn’t even someone they new- this was some random wealthy rich f**k who they might as well have found on the street! In Gods’ Names he was 21!

So he was thrown into a cage and locked for eternity with chains shackled on his wrists and- okay, they locked him in the dressing room, but that’s the same thing! He was practically in shackles anyway, tugging at the burden he was draped in.

The crowd was gathering.. the bells were chiming.. and he made his way out of an unlocked window. 

‘broken’ ‘shattered’ ‘unlocked’ same difference.

He ditched his old hellhole behind and ran away.

Meanwhile, a certain shabby fellow was digging through the trash.

Again.

Rimmer, poor 17-year-old miserabubble rimmer.. well, not really, he quite enjoyed it at this point. 

A year ago he was enlisted in the army, a year ago he was sent to war, and a year ago he ran away. Are there guards out for his arrest and likely execution? Yes. Does he get free throwaway pizza every night out back in the dumpsters? Also yes.

But during one of these little night-time ‘strolls’ of his, he heard a little shuffling-

Now, he’s lived in these outskirts for a year, he knows every animal every sound- heck ask him to name every raccoon and he will. But this? This is something BIGGER. Quite literally-

Cause that’s no animal, that’s a whole human girl.

A whole human girl, with a whole rope, with a whole lotta knots, tied around her WAIT HOLD ON NOW!

He runs at her, yanking it out of her hands, and swooping her up in his arms, the sunrose and the nearby neighborhood awoke to such a feat, they cheered they clapped they-

Yeah he tumbled on top of her.

So, the two limp bodies lay on the ground. Well, one was limp, the other couldn’t physically get up because SOMETHING was weighing him down. Literally.

Obviously he kicked him off. 

Now, the two lay on the ground. The night would be quiet, but for some ungodsly reason.. their breathing was loud.. and it was the only sound they could hear aside from scittering and scattering in the forest across the street.

But, nevertheless, they lay on the ground. In the middle of the night. One tired because this was enough of a scare for him for one night, one tired after running and running for the past hours straight, yet still- tired.

Both

Tired.

The dirt-stained bride broke the silence- 

“I was using that you bastard…”

Anger filled his voice. Because he was about to end it all, this really wasn’t worth it. He could have just stayed he could’ve been rich but oh who was he kidding he wouldn’t of been free. He had to run away he just HAD to. And he did. He ran away. But it sure didn’t FEEL very freeing. He was tired- aching- sore- all of the above! Not even his midnight workouts used to be so rough! He made it here! He made it here to end it all! He made it here to end himself! And yet something stood in his way.

Some dumb, red-haired B*TCH in his way. He could’ve been done but now he’s panting on the ground covered in dirt while they’re both panting and covered in sweat in the nasty alleyways full of garbage and used heroin needles and whatever crap they do in the city. And this B*TCH had the AUDACITY to stop HIM? Him. HIM! What kind of no-life blood sucking life draining two-headed whore was-

okay, this is actually pretty hot

And he pulled him into a kiss.

.

They proceeded to f**k in a dumpster.

.

A couple hours later, still before the sun began to rise, they sat on top of that same dumpster. A space between them, yet connected by looking at the stars.

The silence was once again, dry, but this time it was filling. 

By all means was this an admission of love to a stranger in an alleyway he just met? Absolutely not. Was this a lot better than a dumb wedding? Absolutely yes.

And, maybe, the other only saved him because he had laid eyes on “the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen” but that’s surely not going to affect their relationship.. right?

Well. Regardless. They HAD to have a relationship now. You don’t just f**k someone in a dumpster and never talk to them again. Freak!

Obviously, they were strong acquaintances now.

The silence was strong.

Rimmer dug in his pocket and pulled out a box of cigarettes, ugh he always hated these things.. no idea why he still carries them around. Guess just because it hurts. They really weren’t worth it though- he hated the taste and he hated the feeling of smoke lingering in his throat even if he never inhaled- he hated it all. But, it was to feel something. Cause as much as he makes himself think he loves the alleyways… he really doesn’t

Pulling out the box, he took one out and grabbed a lighter with his other- suddenly he felt a hand on his shoulder.

He turned his head to look at the fiend just to be literally face-to-face inches away from the ‘prettiest girl I’d ever seen’

Was she going to kiss? Was she going to confess love just like in his newly-developed-no-more-than-an-hour-ago dreams? Was she-

“Are you gonna smoke that?”

He raised a hand and pointed at the unlit cigarette in his hands.

“Uhh.. you can have it?”

But he snatched it out of his hand before he could even finish.

“Thanks”

He snagged the lighter, flicking it a few times just for fun before getting straight to the point, and taking a huge huff almost immediately. 

“Y’know..” he said between breaths, “these are actually my favorite.”

“Oh really?” He looked in his eyes, fiddling his thumbs hoping to catch a glance, but his eyes remained locked on the cigarette as he lifted it up.

He let out a hm while he titled it and his head, “Can’t believe I wasn’t able to grab my box before running off.. stupid idiot..” there was a growl in his undertone.

“Oh running of, eh?” Rimmer smirked. He was going to make a flirtatious joke, but the daggers he shot from his eyes suggested otherwise as he quickly looked away at the ground.

A moment of silence passed.

He shuffled around in his pocket, pulling out the box again, and limply stretching his arm out to meet him. Still looking at the ground, he halfly mumbled, “well.. you can have mine. I barely use them anyway..”

Another moment passed and for a second he thought this screwed this up, but immediately as he looked up he caught glance of a shine he hadn’t seen in him prior.

“Sh*t, for real?” Noel snatched the box from his hand. “Sweet!” 

A genuine grin on his face, he fumbled with the box a bit more before snapping back to reality, remembering just exactly where he was. “Right, thanks.”

And they leaned up on each other. The cool night air was finally feeling warm, the sun was beginning to rise, and there wasn’t a space between them.

“I can tell we’re going to be.. good friends.”

He chuckled, nudging him with his elbow, “Maybe even more?”

The two began to giggle, almost losing balance as they crouched over or leaned back into the brick wall, toppling over each other. Getting their nonsense out, they calmed down again.

Thankers Day. The one day of the year specifically dedicated to thanking the gods for giving the world life. But they worship them any other day so why the f**k did this one matter MORE?

Well, not them, but other people worshipped daily like their life meant it. Surely that’s enough people to cover four that don’t?? That doesn’t matter- because regardless of what everyone ABOVE was doing, they were going to lounge in their bunker all day, wait out the religious festivities, and wait for the food to arrive.

That’s right.

It’s FEASTING day.

So the boys got a bunch of blankets, grabbed all the pillows, and got comfy on the couch. All they had to do was wait out a couple hours, and they could sneak on up there and get all the food they desire. 

Which is totally worth it by the way!

They usually don’t get to eat good- considering they have next to NO money in their names, on top of having to cover meals for both a pescetarian and a celiac? The cards really weren’t dealt in their favor.

If they could get their hands on some meat, they took it! But no one just leaves fish on the street! …Or gluten-free bread, for that matter. Which is even harder when half of the things this man eats is only pasta. Insanity.

But, today was one of the few days they waited for. When everyone and their mother gathered in the streets filling tables and tables with various meats, mac & cheese, casserole, stuffing- and almost any other food you could think of. Was it meant to be a big community event to celebrate and get together after the worship? Yes. Is that going to stop them from getting some anyway? Absolutely the f**k not.

The boys sat on the couch, ready to sleep through the day, until-

“We’re going up there early!”

In walked Acacia into the living room, dressed pretty nice for the day, still putting in one of her earrings. They walked in front of the couch, straightened their dress, and folded their arms-

“You get every other day of the year to lounge around as much as you want, for once let’s go out and do something.” She said, her lips cracking a slight smile. 

“But!-” Noel retorted, “we don’t get every day of the year!” drawling it out in a whine. “Oh really?” She said, her eyes stern, and that motherly hypothetical tone in her voice- “When do you not, get a day to do nothing?” 

“The Winter Solstice!”

“Get up.”

And so, reluctantly.. very reluctantly.. they made their way outside and up to the life of the party. The party, that according to them, hadn't started yet, because there were no tables out.

But they were out.

And IMMEDIATELY two of them took off.

Noel grabbed Rimmer’s hand and the two bolted off to go do Gods know What, leaving Acacia and Calanthe back in their dust. “Well,” he started, “..we get the day to ourselves?”

She let out a long, tired, lengthy sigh.

Finally the two made it to where they were running off to- the corn maze. 

The huge, winding, impossible corn maze. Which was technically a labyrinth - they were too understaffed to ever set up more than two stations of people- but it was The Great Corn Maze.

And they were going to beat it this year.

“Beat it,” being-

Every year the hay bales are laid out, setting up this huge winding maze, and the first people to get through it (without cheating!) get a whole turkey. Which, was never worth it before. But considering they skipped breakfast, this was worth it now.

Also the idea of winning against hundreds of people was very motivating.

Even if those people were little kids.

Still, very motivating.

But think about it- if they had to wait for food anything- why not do something that’ll get them even more food faster?

So the two dashed off.

They were the first to enter, and they were gonna be the first to get out.

On forth they go!

Geez this was exciting. Exhilarating, even. (not really.) (but think of the turkey) A few bales in, they took a right. And another right. And another right. Al(right) now they’re just going in circles.

So they took a left! And another left! And- this is the same thing they were doing just backwards!

Thank the gods no one else had entered yet- cause this was embarrassing.

And PRETTY tiring.

To be fair, they were both pretty out of shape- but like! Turkey! :( 

Okay it was really starting to not seem worth it anymore.

Rimmer turned around, ready to walk back out until-

“Hey Noel?”

He had his hands in the dirt, almost like it was going to tell him the answers. “Noel?”

“Yeah?” He halfy acknowledged, getting up and dusting himself off.

“Which way did we come from?”

…

Well..

Regardless if they still wanted that turkey or not, looks like they were going to have to do this maze afterall..

.

An hour passed and- you guessed it. They still weren’t out yet.

“No- No we aren’t F**KIN’ lost, okay? I know exactly where we’re going-” “Really? Cause you’re about to walk into that-

…bush.”

Rimmer walked over and picked a couple pieces of hay out of Noel’s frizzled hair. Noel shoved him off and kept walking- “that was intentional, idiot! I had to see if the trick is to go through them!”

“Oh really?” Rimmer retorted, crossing his arms, “but if you ‘knew where you were going’ wouldn’t you know whether or not that’s what you’re supposed to do?”

He glanced back, darting daggers from his eyes, leaving Rimmer with a gulp.

The two marched forward.

.

“aaaAAAA I QUIT! WHAT’S THE WAY OUT OF THIS F**KIN’ HELLHOLE!” He screamed out to the sky above, kicking a nearby rock, and immediately jumping back to hold his foot because yeah it hurt. 

The two were lost, hungry, and drenched in sweat! Why is it so hot, it’s the middle of autumn!

Middle of autumn but it still feels like the summer heat!

But… and Rimmer walked up behind Noel and put a hand on his shoulder.. “y’know.. you’re pretty hot right now”

Noel turned around, slapping his hand away. “It’s probably a 1000 degrees out!- you think I don’t know that?!” His voice halfly growled. Yet Rimmer persisted, pulling him in by his waist. 

“You’re hot.. literally.. and figuratively right now..” He chuckled.

Noel giggled, cupping his face with his hands.

“You’re so f**kin’ stupid.”

.

Meanwhile, Acacia and Calanthe had been strolling the streets for the past hours on a ‘little’ shopping spree.

Because it was pretty nice.

Normally since they’d all be cooped up together all day, they’d hardly get a break from the ruckus the other two idiots cause. Sure, Calanthe joined in for the fun sometimes, but that doesn’t mean he always enjoyed it. Especially not when he’d have to watch Acacia sit in pain when it triggered her migraines. Which could also just be a side effect from all the drugs she takes… but it’s easier to blame it on the boys.

…they liked getting to have a day for themselves.

Maybe something in their past explained all of it.. but it’s easier to think less about and more about what they are now. A decade ago? They didn’t even know each other’s names! Despite having known each other for a decade before that! Silly..

It’s nice…

…

Acacia stopped in their tracks, with Calanthe almost stumbling into them from behind. They bent over and picked up a leaf from the ground, admiring it for a second or two before turning to the blonde behind them. “Look!” She smiled, her voice soft and whispered. “It’s you!”

The leaf was yellow, and shined with a golden glow. Looked as though it had fallen off pretty recently..

But he didn’t really care. He just looked in their eyes. He chuckled, and took the leaf from their hands, “I’ll make sure to save this one then.”

They were both whispering.

Even if they didn’t really need to.

It was just them.

It was nice.

So, they kept walking. Just how they had been for the past hours or so, but that didn’t really bother them, as they walked into another store and the bell on the door jingled.

“Ooo! Look at that curtain!” 

Calanthe chuckled. They were off again.

.

And his arms were FULL! But they just kept pulling more and more things off the shelves. He slugged around behind them as they pulled another drape off the hanger, “Excusez-moi! Do you have this one.. en bordeaux ?” He shuffled the fabrics in his arms. “Do you keep one n’ burgundy?” 

But before the sales lady could even walk off to go check, they immediately pulled another off the shelf- “Oo! Or say a bleu ciel ?” “sky blue” and another- “Augh! Or ce modèle en jaune soleil !” “sunny yellow” and another- “Ce serait parfait en vert citron !”

Calanthe threw the curtains on the floor. “Why don’t ya’ just go get the whole department why don’t ya!?” His face furrowed and his tinted cheeks red.

Acacia giggled with a smile.

.

“Come on, Dove! Aren’t you gettin’ tired? They’ve started serving- let’s just go eat already! It’s right outside!” Calanthe groaned, still carrying bunches on top of bunches of various curtains and drapes in his arms.

“Oh, Moth…” Acacia sweetly said, their voice soft and warm, leaving a lingering fuzzy feeling.

“Shut up and carry this one for me too..”

He groaned again.

The two had been in this one shop for an hour now. Which, fair enough. Because loose fabric was one of Acacia’s guilty pleasures. They loved collecting it.. they loved looking at it.. they loved the feel of it rubbing against their fingers… there was nothing they didn’t love about loose fabrics. Silk, cotton, whatever it was! It was pretty, and clean, and (sugar & spice &) everything nice.

“Just.. a few more minutes please, my sweet? I just want to look at a few more.” He shrugged along, adjusting the fabrics again for what must have been the thousandth time, “Acacia, dear, we can’t stay in this store forever.” “Oh I know that but..”

She stared intently at the fabric between her hands as she let it fall, slipping oh so slowly from her grasp.

“It’s just.. we never get to come out.. not anymore. Not since..”

“Hey- hey!” He walked over, setting the fabrics on the shelf, and pulling them into an embrace, bringing a hand up to wipe the gentle tears before they even dared fall, scared of his presence.

“We got today.. didn’t we? And we’ll always have tomorrow. We can always come out here again…” he smiled.

They leaned into it, glad to feel something.. close. “Y’know we can’t leave them alone at home.. they’ll completely trash the place..” they sighed.

“And if they do?” He chuckled, pushing them off temporarily to strike a pose. “I’ll show those b*tches who’s boss!”

They covered their mouth, suppressing a giggle.  Maybe Calanthe was a little embarrassed having done that in public, but it was worth it to keep her smiling.

He liked her smile.

.

Noel finished slipping his sweater back over his head before he reached a hand down to pull Rimmer off of the ground.

The two were covered in sweat- covered in dirt- and still lost in this stupid corn maze!

It wasn’t even made out of corn!

So, as they sighed through their blood, sweat, and tears, the two continued forward.

Because they had to get out. SOMEHOW!

Even if that meant.. not necessarily.. going the right path..

Rimmer stopped in his tracks.

“Hey suga’.. you thinking what I’m thinking?” Noel turned his head, “thinkin’ what?”

Rimmer grabbed him by the shoulder and pulled him over, slowly raising his arm and pointing in the distance.

“Oh..” slipped out.. “Oh I’m thinking what you’re thinking.”

And let’s just say, they were out of that corn-labyrinth-whatever-hybrid in 2 minutes. Also, it was an actual maze now.

But if anyone wants to know where their tractor went, it wasn’t their fault.

.

Acacia and Calanthe were outside walking around the tables when a tired duo came running up to them. 

“There you two are!” She sighed, her worries leaving. “We had no idea where you’d gone! You’re not hurt- are you?” She grabbed Noel’s arm before he immediately yanked it away. 

He crossed his arms pouting, “Yeah, they didn’t even let us take the turkey!” 

Calanthe’s breath caught, “The.. what?” The two exchanged a puzzled glance.

“The turkey!” He threw his arms down before pulling them up again.

Rimmer butted in- “apparently a group went through and beat it way before we ever entered! and they didn’t even think to tell us! and-” “And he said we’re dirty rotten cheaters!! I didn’t cheat at nothin’!” He threw his arms down again, stomping on the ground.

The two, again, exchanged a glance before Acacia straightened their skirt and looked back up.

“Well…” they started, gesturing their arm to the side, “there’s a turkey right there?” 

Oh that’s right. They were in there for hours. The worship was done. And the tables were out.

The feast had begun.

And, once again, the two were off.

But this time the other duo followed behind.

They.. sort of stuck together?

The three boys eventually began to dig in, filling up plates with as much as they could before someone caught suspicion of the ‘new’ freaks in town. Meanwhile, Acacia was stocking up so they’d hopefully have enough to last through ‘till the solstice. They looked up at the boys chucking away and smiled.

And wow, did they EAT!

Eventually Calanthe took a break to go play against Acacia in cornhole while the other two dummies laid limp (and satisfied) on the floor. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is what you call a productive day.

Two of them darted off, two of them went shopping, and two of them f**ked in the middle of a corn maze labyrinth.

All in a hard day’s work.

And bonus- they had enough food to last them for- for- at least a day! Which is pretty much ‘till the next solstice, right?

Right?

..well nevermind all that. Because the four went home and immediately collapsed into their beds… for an hour-long nap.

Acacia set up for a wine-and-books bubble bath, Calanthe started to resort his guns like he does every night, never settling on how he likes them to sit, and the other two.. the other two began their ‘nightly routine..’ how does anyone have the stamina for that? Who knows.

Acacia happy with her books, Calanthe happy with his guns, and the other two against the bed laying limp and smoking a cigarette. 

It was one of their long nights where they.. really got to know each other, if you know what I mean.. but it was nothing new for them.

Noel was sitting up against the headboard, one flimsy pillow supporting him behind his back, and his hair tangled into all sorts of knots. His arms wrapped around Rimmer’s waist, holding him up on his lap. And gods, could he stare into those eyes all night long.

Let’s be honest here, Rimmer was the only person Noel ever had, or wanted, to come back to. And he was fine with that. He didn’t fancy him romantically.. he didn’t find him sexually attractive.. but he was still different. Different how? Who knows. 

It could be how they’ve known each other for so long. It could be how they met. It could be how he’s the first person he ever felt a little bit of trust in, even if they met in such a stupidly impulsive way. 

His mind snapped back to it, moving his hands so delicately, just slightly further up his waist to poke at the little chub in his belly. Normally they’d be rough but today.. okay most of it was just wanting to mess with him.. but today he wanted to do something new.

Rimmer grabbed Noel’s wrists with his hands, almost as though he was going to move them away, but he didn’t commit to the action.

“Quit it..” he snarled.. “You know I hate bein’ soft n’ slow.”

Noel cooed in a teasing voice he knows he hates, “Aw come on’.. can’t I admire the work of art in front of me?” He chuckled. 

Rimmer crossed his arms and his face threw a pout as he looked away. With his left thumb rubbing small circles, pushing the skin back and forth, Noel brought his right hand up just to twist that pretty little face back at him. Taking him by the chin he pulled Rimmer into a kiss, something he doesn’t take much pleasure in himself but loves just how much of a flustered mess it leaves the man.

Rimmer put his hands on Noel’s shoulders and leaned into it, how soft it felt. He was meant to be the tough one- the hard to take down one- but maybe in private he’ll admit.. he did love it.

And right on cue he pulled back, and the man’s cheeks were glowing red, with a grin daring to form as the ends of his lips curled up.

And now that the petty princess was pleased, he brought his hand back to.. other things. Such as the pale mark that took over his entire left shoulder. He dragged his finger down the man’s chin, then his neck, and right over the sun tattoo where he traced circles and circles over its spiral pattern.

Rimmer snapped out of it, glancing down as the hand who was so rudely invading his personal space. Not that that same hand hadn’t intruded more before, but we’re not talking about that right now.

What we are talking about, is he immediately snapped, grabbing Noel’s with his left hand and a short breath. “Stop it.”

Noel took his hand back, his eyebrows slightly furrowed and his lips slightly turned down, as he brought both hands back to the waist he was holding only minutes before. “Come on, pebble..” (he liked to use random words as replacement for endearments, just to mess with him) “I get to play with you all the time, can’t I explore new things?” His eyes looked back up, reaching for an answer, just to see a hint of anger in his.

Silence.

He really didn’t want their night to end like this.. they rarely leave off on a bad note.. maybe another round would get him in the mood again?

.

And they laid back on the bed. Once more.

This time Rimmer had his back flat on the mattress, and arms limp above his head.

Noel sat on top of him, legs wrapped around his waist, he was going nowhere.

He leaned forward, hands on his chest, and pressing soft kisses into his neck. Don’t worry, he wiped the lipstick off first. (technically it just came off on something else, actually)

But once again, those hands just drifted to those beautiful scars that took over his entire body. And if he wasn’t allowed to touch the shoulder? This time he was going to the face. Cupping both cheeks, he rubbed his thumbs into the porcelain, and gods he wished it was squishy.. he loved how chubby he was.. if only all of him could be..

Taking a finger he dragged it over that pretty red mark that went over his eyes.. the mark that went across his whole face. Must have hurt.. 

Rimmer’s breathing had finally caught up with him, and once again it hitched. But this time it was.. softer. Truth is, he really hated them. All they held were bad memories. The one on his face? He was left completely blind in one eye! Gods almighty…

And Noel’s fingers trailed down his neck and right over his chest. He’d never seen it, it’d been bandaged as long as he’d known him, who knows what he was hiding under there.. but no more of that. He moved back again, to the shoulder, rubbing circles right over that cute little spiral. Leaning closer, he kissed right on every inch of the scar on his face.

Rimmer’s eyes began to tear in the corners.

Oh, and Noel caught it immediately. Taking both hands, once again to cup his face. Probably their favorite action between the two of them. He kissed him on the tip of his nose before nuzzling into his forehead, “you’re so pretty… y’know that?”

It wasn’t for himself, it was for Rimmer. He’d do anything for that boy.

“Pretty.. pretty.. pretty boy..” His voice trailed off, dragging his hands down the side of his body.

She finished off with one last cartwheel on the tumbling mat before deciding maybe it was time for bed.

The sun had set hours ago, but she had persisted with her practice. After today’s slip up? That was embarrassing. Outright embarrassing. She had to make sure she was perfect. She had to be prepared for anything.

So Ghibli dragged her aching feet and slowly walked back to her room in the tent’s apartment, hissing each time with how sore her body was. Just how long was she practicing exactly?

Well, the show was in the morning.

She stepped into her apartment and threw her bags on the ground, too tired to even dress out of her performance attire, she immediately walked over to the bathroom sink and splashed some cold water on her face.

“Jeez, Ghibli, get a grip! You’re better than this!” The voice echoed in her head.

But it was only her own.

She.. often had nights like this. Whether it was a slip up in a performance, or she just didn’t do as well as she normally did, it would always get the best of her. And by gods did it get her bad.

“Get a grip.. Ghibli…” she stared blankly into the mirror. Hands on the counter, her eyes wide yet simultaneously.. tired. So tired. Tears forming in the corner of her eyes but she didn’t dare break her stare.

“What the hell is wrong with you, you-”

A knock at the door.

“Hey, Ghib?” 

It was Macadamia. Ghibli rubbed the daring tears out of her eyes and splashed some more water in her face, hoping to clear up the red even a little bit. Grabbing the towel next to her, she scrubbed so hard to dry it off, it probably wouldn’t matter if her face was red originally cause it sure was about to be now. Meanwhile, Macadamia let herself in through the door.

“Ghib?”

Ghibli pulled the towel off her face, her expression blank for a second as she looked at Macadamia, but it clicked what to say. “Oh, hey! Em-” She let go of the towel and let it fall back on its hook. “Just washin’ my face! Nightly routine, y’know? I was just about to-” She gestured with her thumb behind her where the mirror was, her eyes following, under a certain embrace pulled her back to focus.

“Ghib..” Macadamia caressed her cheek with her thumb. “You’re beating yourself up again, you know you are.” 

Silence fell between them. Ghibli’s arms now laid limp by her sides as her eyes’ gaze turned down. Macadamia cupped her chin, lifting it back up to look at her trying to lighten the mood-

“Also.. you don’t have a nightly routine.” She chuckled. “And if you did.. why would you do it with your uniform still on?” She ended with a grin, hoping to bring some joy out of the smaller one. Ghibli let out a small snort before her gaze looked away again, the corners of her mouth turned down. Well that didn’t work.

She sighed, “Ghib.. you’re always beating yourself up about somethin’.. somethin’ small.. something that don’t even matter! You gotta stop letting it get the worst of you, girl! It’s not pretty to-” “Don’t tell me when I’m not pretty.”

Macadamia’s eyes suddenly widened as her face full of shock. Ghibli finally looked in her eyes, but not with the expression she wanted. Her brows were furrowed, and her eyelights darted imaginary daggers that stung. She wasn’t upset often, not angrily.

She waved around for a second.. “I’m always pretty. I’m a perfect performer.”

And with Macadamia agape it was a blur how she reacted when she got thrown out of the room. And so, she stumbled back off to hers.

She didn’t like seeing Ghib upset. She didn’t like seeing Ghib mad. 

…

The night felt quieter than normal.

.

Macadamia finished her nightly routine, tying her hair in a bonnet, ready to lay back in her bed when she her a knock at her door.

And another.

And another, before she finally opened it. Slowly of course, to let it creak in suspense.. or more so just to annoy the impatient girl on the other side of the door. She knows who it is. 

So the door creaked open, and she looked down, and there sat Ghibli. Who was, probably a little more cheerful before coming over here. But what can she say? She loved to mess with her.

“I’m pretty.” She huffed.

“You’re pretty.” Macadamia smiled.

And, before she even got another word out, Ghibli practically busted through the (open) door.

“I’m crashing here for the night!” She started, crossing her arms and looking away. 

“Wellll…” Macadamia started, closing the door and walking up behind her. “If you’re going to sleep here, why not get you into something more… comfortable? Hm?” She chuckled, tugging at the ruffles on her neck. “Surely you wouldn’t want to.. sleep in your suit, would you?” 

Ghibli giggled back, “I suppose I wouldn’t…”

.

The two laid back on Macadamia’s bed, hand in hand. Ghibli had changed into a spare set of clothes Macadamia had in her closet, and the two were full of giggles.

It quieted down, but not for long, as Ghibli turned over on her side. “Hey Maca?” “Hm?” She turned to the other, trying not to break her face. 

Ghibli made a swirling motion with her hand, getting closer and closer– “IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII” boop! “love you!” And the two broke into another giggle fest.

Until Ghibli gasped, getting pulled at her waist into Macadamia’s embrace. She tried to wiggle out of it, to no avail, until- bam! Her cheek cupped with a free hand, pulled into a sweet sweet kiss.

Oh, they loved kissing. Macadamia’s lips always had the lingering taste of cherry.. just like that one song. Ghibli? Well, her lips were dry and honestly could use a bit of lip balm but Macadamia didn’t mind it. Maybe it didn’t technically feel soft, but it felt soft to them.

Aaaaand another! Bam! Bam! Bam! Ghibli was a hot mess, hypothetical kissy marks all over her face, and she couldn’t even squirm away from it! Macadamia had her pinned down at her waist.

But wow, was she FLUSHED! You could practically see her glow from a mile away! Gods, was she cute. And Macadamia had this all to herself.

Bam! Went another one, until she finally relaxed to let the giggle fest breath. The two caught their breaths, and Ghibli opened her eyes to look at the ones staring right back at from above her. So perfect.. so pretty..

Macadamia laid back down to the side of her darling and once again, pulled her close. But instead of an ambush this time, it was much more.. love-y. No trying to elicit responses.. no pinning down to the point the other wormed themself free.. just sweet sweet (and soft) kisses..

..until she was betrayed and pinned down herself.

Ghibli, now on top. Immediately went to work to get this ‘composed’ fiend out of her strong suit. Would she break at a kiss as easily as Ghibli? No. Was she tickling? Of course she was.

“Wait-” and the hands went down, “Wait NO– HA!” 

The girl squirmed below her, trying to break free, but the demon above her trapped her with her legs. “Wait- haha- quit it- Ghib!” She pushed the hands away but they just kept coming back. And wow.. she always forgot how light Ghibli’s fingers felt. Or maybe she was just really ticklish. But it really did feel like they were barely ghosting her body.

That’s fair.. Ghibli was trained after all. Trained to make her body feel as light as possible. It’s all about balancing body weight and yada yada that doesn’t matter right now! What matters is she’s STILL BEING TICKLED!

Macadamia finally got a leg free and kicked the fiend off her, toppling on top just to return what pleasure she owes. And with that, once again Ghibli was a hot mess.

Oh she was SO easy to fluster!

But, like everything here, they got tired again. Laying back down with their heads on the pillows, and the soft warm blanket on top of them. Not as warm as the fuzzy embrace from each other, though.