(2,580 words), also on Ao3
Characters:Au Mylo,Au Gert,Au Claggor.
Gert is working on a new mixtape and is almost done. But is also stuck on one part of the tape, trying to decide if it sounds good or not. Luckily, she had a nearby acquaintance, she also noticed that he was always nervous or too shy to talk to her. Mylo. She thought asking him to give the tape a listen wouldn’t hurt. After Mylo listens to it, he realizes the songs fit her so perfectly.
The city of Zaun was as calm as everyone Else was. Doing their own thing, shopping, running Arons or just enjoying the day. As for Gert, she was enjoying her music while going for a walk. Headphones in, humming along to the song on her mixtape she was listening to. But this mixtape, she was stuck on. Playing the same few songs over and over, because to her, she felt like she was missing something. Maybe it’s because it sounds different from her point of view, she thought to herself. And she needed to hear it from someone else’s perspective.
Listening to the mixtape, she knew she wasn’t gonna plan on scraping it, since it was already almost done. Then she got herself thinking about who she could ask to listen to it. She then remembered that one fellow that was trying to talk to her a little while back. ‘Mylo, right? Seemed a lil nervous when he approached gert. Wouldn’t hurt asking him though.’
Gert then decided to go and look for Mylo. She looked in the last drop, he wasn’t there. Thought she would bump into him while walking around but no luck. Then came a man walking with a barrel of soil walking past her. After following the barrel with her eyes, she remembered that Mylo and his brother Claggor were working on plants to purify Zauns air. So she followed the barrel seeing where it would take her. After following the man with the barrel of soil, it lead her to a greenhouse office. She assumed that Claggor and Mylo would be in there. When the barrel man knocked on the door, Claggor came out and greeted him and started to help bring the bags of soil inside. Having Mylo come out next and Gert began to walk up to him. As mylo picked up one of the bags of soil, he saw someone in the corner of his eye. Gert. Having a shocked expression and getting a little startled from Gert showing up.
From being taken by surprise, Mylo quickly lifted up the bag of soil and fell backwards onto his rear bottom. Smooth move.
“Oh- gert! I- I wasn’t expecting to see you here!” Mylo hesitated. Trying to sit up and get the bag off of him.
Gert walked over to him and held her hand out to help him up And Mylo dusting the dirt off of himself.
“Pretty hard fall there, you ok?” Gert asked.
“Pfft! Oh yeah I’m fine. But, uhh, what brings you here?”
“I’m workin on this mixtape, I’m almost done but I was wondering if you could listen to it? Not sure if I like it yet.” Gert replied.
“Me? Well I’d be glad to but, all of your music sounds great. But I’ll still give it a hear.”
Gert looked at the barrel behind Mylo and at Claggor and the other guy while they continued to bring the bags of soil inside.
“You sure you’re not too busy?” Gert asked.
“No,no, not at all! You wanna come in?” Mylo offered, while picking up the bag of soil.
While walking in, Mylo lead Gert to his working space where he would do his studies, research or just hang out. Along with the room having another desk in it,that was for Claggor,and surrounded by other plants and prototypes.
“Nice set up you got.” Gert said,while scanning the room.
“Yeah, it’s nice, I guess you could say it’s from the ‘great vine’ ” Mylo said, while trying to crack a quick joke. Even though he was a little shy around Gert in this moment , it didn’t stop him from being humorous.
Gert giggled. “So you got jokes,huh?”
Mylo turned around and leaned against his desk while facing Gert. “I’ve got a couple up my sleeve. Here and there. Soo, about this mixtape?”
Before Gert could answer, a knock came on the open door frame.
“Hey Mylo,oh- hey Gert! I’m gonna go pick up some more things for the plants. I’ll be back.” Claggor said.
“Hear you loud and clear,Clag.” Mylo said, while doing a playful salute with his two fingers.
After Claggor walked out, Gert took out her headphones and personal CD player out of her pocket. Putting the CD in and plugging in the cord of the ear buds. While she held up the two ear pieces, she walked up to Mylo and put them in his ears for him. Mylo had both of his eyebrows raised,shocked. And thrown off his balance since he never expected Gert to get so close to him. He didn’t stop her or saying anything, he basically froze up. While she was putting the earbuds in, Mylo took that chance to gaze and admire her for just a quick second.
“Let me know what you think.” Gert said, turning on the music.
While Mylo was still slightly googly eyed, he paid his attention to the music. Each song that played seemed to be pretty good so far. Instrumentals matching the lyrics and the rhythm was great. While Gert looked at him, waiting for a response and for the tape to be done, she too took a liking to Mylo. She thought to herself, ‘he’s kinda cute, all coy & shy. Got some humor too.’ When the tape was on its last few songs, one song caught Mylos ear, the lyrics of one song sounded familiar. The lyrics described and expressed how mesmerizing and beautiful someone is, not only that, but how the other person felt and what feelings they have for the other person they’re singing about. Reminded Mylo of how he felt for Gert. The lyrics were saying
“I could be a fool, but baby only for you. Anything to make you laugh cause your smile bounces right back,like it’s reflective. I’m just tryna see everything from your perspective. Especially through those eyes, they’re like hazel pearls in the atmosphere, are you from here? How I feel right now is so surreal, nervous or too shy to approach you. Cause I don’t know what to say & don’t know how you would respond. Do you feel the same way? I gotta know, please don’t leave me wondering and waiting. Your beauty is so Celestial, heavenly and graceful. I can’t explain how I feel, but I know it’s love I have for you .”
‘Yeah,that sounds about right. Sounds just like her.’ Mylo thought to himself , while his eyes looked captivated onto Gert. Dreamy and all. Not taking his eyes off of her.
When the mixtape was done playing, Mylo handed back the earbuds to Gert.
“Welll, how is it?” She asked.
“I like it, sounds great to me, not a single bad song on there.” He replied.
“Well, thanks. That’s all I really stopped by for, but I’ll see you around. I appreciate it.” Gert said, putting the CD player and earbuds back in her pocket.
Mylo then offered to walk her out,like the gentleman he is. After Gert had left, Mylo reminisced about the last song that played on the mixtape and the moment he shared with her. Unexpected, but also a nice surprise. Feeling electric and nervous around her, the lyrics from the song put the cherry on top for how he felt about her. Made him think, he’s gotta figure how to say how he feels.
Next day came, it ran smoothly as Mylo and Claggor were both doing their plant studies. However, Mylo couldn’t stop making one sound to himself over and over again. Humming. That song. Quietly singing to himself while he spun the pen in his finger and sat back in his chair. Daydreaming. It’s been stuck in his head since this morning, after he thought about yesterday, the song stuck with him. Claggor now knew about the song too, since he overheard Mylo humming to himself.
“What are you mumbling over there?” Claggor asked, turning from his desk to look at Mylo.
“Uh- nothing. Just, brain storming..” Mylo said, caught in lost thought after Claggor questioned him.
“Ok, could you do that a little quieter?”
“I wasn’t that loud, but as you wish sir Clag.” Mylo replied, doing a playful bow towards Claggor. Along with Claggor rolling his eyes.
“Thanks.. But hey, what was Gert here for the other day?” Claggor asked.
“She just asked me to listen to her mixtape, needed an opinion on it.”
“Hm, ok.” Claggor replied, turning around and continuing to write in his journal.
Mylo raised his eyebrows, slightly confused and surprised that Claggor didn’t add on or ask any more questions. Which gave Mylo the idea to think about his next step for Gert. Since no one would suspect or ask what he would do next. How was he gonna tell her how he felt? He could crack a few jokes here and there, but how could he make it heart felt and sweet? Which also gave him the idea of doing something or giving something nice to her. ‘Something likeee… a poem!’ He thought to himself, in addition of him excitingly sitting up from his chair. He then planned to go to the library to get some ideas.
“I’m going out. I’ll be back.” Mylo stated, getting out of his chair and walking out of the shared office.
“Where? We’ve got studies to fin-“
“I’m already gone!” Mylo interrupted, rushing out the door and waving. Beginning his way to the library.
When Mylo arrived at the library, he looked through the book sections, skimming through book titles as he tried to get an Idea for what kind of poem he wanted to write for Gert. ‘Hmm.. comedy? No.. this has to be heart touching! Since it is a confession. Let’s do… a Sonnet poem!’ He thought to himself. A sonnet poem would include describing a persons love,beauty and emotions. Grabbing a book or two to get some references, he then took a seat at a table with Pen and paper and started to get ideas and write. An hour or two went by, making up the finished product of his poem.
“I may crack jokes hear there but my love for you is no humor.
The courage within me guides me to confess and say these words to you,Gert.
Like a rush, my heart and stomach drop just from your appearance and voice.
Like the pitter patter my heart does when I’m nervous or try and build up what to say to you.
Gert, I’ve been observant enough to know your love and passion for music.
Your ears wide open for the next lyric, but mine are open just to listen to what you have to say. Like your name spells out.
Gracious Ethereal Radiant Timeless.
Gert, your beauty stops me in my tracks Any day, you do it so effortlessly. Just like your music.
Gert, I’ve kept this in long enough, i hope you too find the courage to say how you feel.
Even if it’s not the same.
Felt like I was stuck a trance the other day, Your closeness and touch, like no other.
Gert,overall,I just really like you and what you do, and more. ”
Mylo sighed and layed back onto his chair,exhaling. “Ah, finally done. Next stop, Gert.” He said to himself, looking up at the ceiling, thinking and hoping that this goes well. He considered looking for her after being at the library, but looking out the window, it was dark outside. Giving him the next day to give it to her.
Morning approached as the sun risen. Rays of warm and soft morning light seeping through windows and blinds. Mylo got up early, re-reading his poem,rehearsing how he should say it and pacing back and forth in his shared office. Claggor didn’t wake up yet or get to the lab yet, so Mylo had the space all to himself. He figured it was the perfect time to be there and leave, figuring that Claggor would’ve asked him why he was out late for so long. After looking over the poem a few times, Mylo decided to go give it to Gert. Ok, let’s do this.
Mylo soon arrived at the last drop, knowing Gert would be there working shift. Also hoping that she wasn’t too busy since it was early. Gert was sitting at the bar counter with her ear buds in nodding her head, taking an early before work. Before Mylo approached her, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Hoping for the best. Mylo tapped Gert on her shoulder and cleared his throat.
“Hm. Hey Gert! I don’t mean to interrupt you but, I have something for you.” He said, handing the folded piece of paper to her.
Gert took out her earbuds, looking at Mylo then taking the paper, opening and starting to read it.
“I-I didn’t know how to say it this.. so I wrote it in a poem. Thought it would be lyrical since you like music.” Mylo said, not taking his eyes off her while she read the poem. Each second he waited while she read made him only more nervous. At this point she was reading the middle to end part of the poem. As she kept going, her eyes widened with excitement and a smile began to flow upon her face.
“You wrote this?” Gert asked.
Gert was just about speechless. Receiving something so well put together and thought through.
“Mylo, this is… I don’t know what to say” she said.
“Y’Know- I understand if you feel differently! I’ll just-“
Mylos stomach sank. Figuring that this would result in rejection. But before he could finish Gert interrupted by taking his hand, holding and caressing it with her thumb.
“I wish you would’ve told me sooner. Cause I admire you too.” She stated, looking at him with his face blushing.
Gert seemed a little nervous too, looking down at both of their hands while she was talking and then slight long glances at him. Mylos face was flushed with redness, surprised and taken a back from Gerts response. His pupils dilated in relief and comfort and especially from the touch and warmth of Gert. ‘Oh my god. Is she really holding my hand right now?!’ Mylo thought to himself, in disbelief because it felt so surreal.
“Heh, that’s great to hear gert! Phew…a-at i thought you were going to feel differently.” Mylo, exhaling with a small giddy laugh.
“Well it took you long enough, I thought you would’ve never said something.” She chuckled.
Gert then pulled Mylo in for a hug. So Affectionately and courageously. Mylo blinked rapidly and opened his mouth in shock, being even more flustered now that she even went in for a hug. Mylo melted and took a sigh melting into her arms and wrapping his around her.
“Well I guess you could say I, wrote my heart out.” He replied, Corny joke. One of the things Gert liked about him.
Gert giggled, as Mylo felt her laugh vibrate against him.
“Ha, you and these jokes. I don’t think I would ever feel differently.” She replied, stepping back and looking at him with a genuine smile.
From this point, they would talked about their interests and things they didn’t know about each other. Also including that now they can both move forward with the affection they have for each other.
