#youdia

“Oh, haven’t you heard about the wreck. Maki might be interested. My dad told me about it; he knew the captain’s son. Almost 100 years ago. Rich family, cruise ship, steam powered...piano on deck for dances…”

“Maki would hate that.”

“Why?”

Nico knew three decades worth of piano maintenance tips and tricks. “They’re tricky instruments.” Almost as finicky as the geniuses who choose them, Nico thought to herself.

“Ah, well, ghost pianos don’t mind salt water.” You winked.

Nico snorted, “Ghost pianos?”

You’s nod was serious. “On a new moon, on a rainy night, you can hear the notes between the raindrops on the water.”

Nico sipped her tea. “We need soup. Not rainy night ghost stories that make Nico colder.”

You immediately grabbed a blanket to wrap around Nico, “I am so sorry, Kurosawa-san. I’ll get us back to shore and dinner right away.”

“And tell Nico warm stories, about cooking or something.”

###

And yet it always felt new, fresh, every time Nico realized, holding Maki relaxed like this, her lover snuggled so close, red hair tickling Nico’s nose, familiar weight against her shoulder, familiar warmth against her skin, but always some new connection to discover.

“Nico?” Maki murmured.

“‘S’okay, Princess. Nico just missed you.”

“Missed you.” Mostly asleep, super cuddly, all Nico’s Maki was the most adorable mood. Nico loved when it happened, reluctant to break the spell in anyway. Spell? Nico snorted, she’d been spending too much with Ruby and You talking about the creepy costumes Mari had them making for her Halloween party in two months, she was starting to imagine stalking shadows. And hear piano music when she knew Maki was somewhere else.

“Nico missed you so much she keeps hearing piano music.” Nico glanced down, Maki was blinking, concern in her amethyst eyes.

“Did you hit your head?”

“Nico is fine.”

Maki raised up on her arm, sliding in close to Nico, plum pink lips frowning, but Nico sensed a wink waiting, “I could examine you. Just to make sure. So neither of us worries.”

“Maki is too helpful.”

Maki’s hand was not helping Nico concentrate, stroking her face with a gentle, tingling invitation.

“Nico-chan…”a whispered want Nico had never been able to ignore.

They were sleeping in

###

More piano music. Maybe Nico should get her head examined. Surely neither Teddy nor Vik would be in the music room. Nico put the pie in the oven and went in search of her house guests. Teddy was in the main room, low table pushed to the side, screens open to the brisky wind, leaves blowing in to scatter across the floor.

“Hey Auntie Nico, come on, do a TWIGstant Dance with me.” Teddy had makeup on to make her look more skeletal, her slightly rounded face still cheerful.

“Nico needs a costume.”

“Just throw on your vampire cape and fangs.”

“Give Nico three minutes.”

Years of touring had made Nico a quick change expert so most of the time she used was getting to and from her bedroom. Nico put her hair back in a ponytail, heightened her cheekbones, reddened and darkened the area around her eyes, popped in the fangs, then Zoomed back to the living room.

“You look cool. Now just try and keep up with me.”

Teddy led them in a dance with a lot of swooping arm gestures that let Nico use the cape to advantage, Teddy reminding her of Eli with a fan.

Teddy killed the feed. “You did pretty well for an old, Auntie Nico. Momo couldn’t have kept up.”

Nico made a mental note that Eli’s daughter thought Nico was better at something than Eli, then reheard the “for an old.”

“Hey, Nico is still young enough to show you a few steps.” Nico stomped over to the camera, “Now you try and keep up.”

###

Nico had pulled out her twistiest, most difficult routine from her prime touring years, leaving Teddy standing, open mouthed in awe. Then after an exit crowing with bravado, Nico crawled off to the privacy of the bath to wince a lot and soak muscles that were threatening to mummify her. And there was that piano music, faint. Did Nico really miss Maki that much? Maybe a quick trip to Tokyo tomorrow. Ruby could stay with Yoshiko or Hanamaru. Or at the Ohara’s. Nico was going to fall asleep in the bath, but there was still the ferry ride to Mari and Kanan’s party tonight. Ruby had been so excited that Nico was going with her. Her long distance girlfriend Leah hadn’t been communicating much recently and Ruby wanted a fun night with friends and family.

Nico tapped her phone, planning to increase the volume of her K-Pop playlist. But instead she hit pause, and then the number one on her speed dial, her wife.

“Nico-chan!” Maki sounded breathless. Running between meetings, maybe?

“Nico misses you.”

“I miss Nico. But I’ll be home tomorrow. Mama just has this fundraiser she really wants me to…”

“I know. I’m going to the Ohara tonight because Ruby wants me to go, not because I’m in the mood.”

“But you love a party, Nico-chan.”

“Nico does love a party.”

“And I want to see pics of your costume. I have to wear this boring tuxedo.”

Clothes never looked boring on Maki, but the suit in the pic looked oddly bulky. And what was that backdrop? Had Maki put on weight? Nico didn’t remember thinking that.

“Is that yours?”

“No. Left mine at home. Had to borrow one.”

“Kotori would not approve.”

Maki shrugged, then grinned and blew Nico a kiss, “I’ll do my best to get back early, Nico-chan. Have fun.”

Nico quit the call and sunk into the water, feeling more like Maki’s moods than Nico’s.

###

Did it have to storm? On such a dark night, no moon. Well there wasn’t any rain yet and You was standing at the bow of the small ship looking gloriously happy to be cutting through slight waves, but Nico, Nico was on the verge of seasick. Vik had had to take off her tall, black, catch the wind in a second, wide brimmed hat, but Nico was glad she made them wrap up in actual coats before they headed to the Ohara. It was always colder on the water. This was second nature to Ruby, who had planned to change at the hotel, but the rest of the Yazawa party were happy city dwellers at heart. Even Teddy was huddling close to her sister for warmth, which Vik seemed happy to tolerate, having refused to sacrifice vanity and only agreeing to add a light black cashmere shawl to her carefully planned witch’s outfit.

Nico levered up from the bench, clutching at sturdy ship parts to pull her way to You, “Do you have any blankets, You-san? Nico’s shivering.”

You’s smile was apologetic, charming, but definitely not the smile of someone who had an immediate solution to Nico’s difficulties.

“Some patience please, Kurosawa-san. See, the waters are calming.”

You was right. Fewer waves, less side to side motion, and then Nico’s eyes were caught by floating lanterns some distance away. And the damn piano music, faint. Was she just adding it into the scene herself.

“You-san.” Really Nico thought she was doing a remarkable job at keeping her voice calm considering how her pulse rate sped up. “Do you hear that?”

“What?” You’s bright blue eyes blinked.

“Never mind.”

“MOM!” Ruby screamed. Nico turned, to see her youngest standing, staring in terror, pointing at a...platform drifting on the water a little way from them, a piano in the middle of it, the music that was now literally haunting Nico increasing in volume.

Worried Ruby was going to be pitched overboard, Nico rushed to her side, turning back to the helm to shout something at You, but no one was standing there. Had there been a splash?

“What’s happening?” Vik’s voice cracked; Teddy was curled up in a ball, arms over her head.

“It’s fine. Just someone having fun.” Nico knew she didn’t sound convincing, but...the piano plank drifted closed, row of red and white lights flickering at the base, a tall pianist, top hatted and tails silhouette working the keys in a mournful ballad that Nico was very sorry to hear an increasing number of notes of. She’d run boats before, surely just throwing this in reverse and hitting max speed would get them away...there was something about the playing, the weight on the keys…

Nico’s mouth opened, a scream almost choking out, but Nico refused to lose control in front of Ruby, who was shaking, so clamp jaw shut, race through possible solutions, refuse to remember You’s cheerful retelling of the legend of the piano player sinking with the boat. Ghost pianos...ghost pianos would have no substance. You must have scuba knives somewhere. There, under the seat, in sheaths, Nico grabbed one, cocked back an arm, and got ready to throw.

“NO YAZAWA-SAN! Don’t throw that!” You’s head came up over the boat’s side, wetsuit hoodie pulled up over her hair.

At the same time, Vik had grabbed Nico in a hug. “Stop.”

A twin prank. With You. That was who was playing the piano music. Had they been using the house bluetooth password to take over the stereo system?

The pianist stood, took off the tophat, bowed, Nico catching a glimpse of familiar red hair as they bent forward into the light. But then, as if pulled down into the deep by some monster, the pianist disappeared.

“MAKI!” Nico screamed, shoving off Vik, running to pull You out of the water and shake her, “What did you do? Where is she? Nico is going to...”

“Wait, Yazawa-san...I didn’t… I swear...Nishikino-sensei is fine…”

“Nico-chan. Don’t hurt You-san. She only did what I asked her to.”

Maki had popped up on the ladder, stepping onto the deck, tuxedo plastered to her wetsuit, Dia and Kanan following behind her, wetsuits and full scuba gear, Kanan tying the platform to the railing with several ropes.

Nico shoved Maki with one hand, “What did you...why did you…”

“Mommy says your scream was amazing.” Teddy announced, sitting up.

Nico whirled. “You were livestreaming.”

“Always.” Teddy winked, a sly match of Nozomi’s.

Nico still had a hand on You, dragging her on deck with furious strength, “Get Nico a wetsuit, I’m swimming home.”

“You can’t Nico-chan, it’s too dangerous.” Maki separated Nico and You. Dia stepping forward to hug You.

“You don’t get a vote.” Nico snarled with anger, “You’re in Tokyo.”

“Nico-chan always plays the pranks. We thought it might be fun to turn the tables.” Maki grinned, proud of herself.

“We?”

“Me. I did Nico-chan. You always have so much fun planning them. I wanted to too. And everyone wanted to help.”

“Was it fun?”

“TONS!” Teddy roared.

Nico reached out, grabbed Teddy’s phone, and threw it away. Everyone heard the splash.

“Nico is about to do that to you.” Nico growled at Maki.

“You’ll laugh about this as soon as you dry off.”

“You terrified Nico.”

“You did. Her face.” Teddy was still doubled over, laughing, Vik now had the livestreaming duties.

“Everyone shut up. All of you. Nico is not speaking to any of you.” Nico pulled her coat tighter around her and stalked to the bow of the boat, away from where everyone was clustered around the ladder.

“Mom.” Dia spoke up.

Nico glared up at her eldest, daring Dia to say something.

“Please give You back the knife.”

###

It had been an hour. Nico was still on the boat, fuming, her only friend left in the world You-san’s battered tea Thermos. She heard steps. Maki.

“Come in to the party, Nico-chan. No one’s having any fun.”

“Liar.”

“I’m not having any fun.”

“Has everyone stopped telling you how clever you are?”

Maki shrugged. Her cream fisherman’s sweater and cords looking much warmer than Nico’s damp coat and costume, “Let me warm you up.”

“Oh, Nico is hot, angry hot.”

“Are you really that upset?” Maki sat down next to Nico, her arm friendly warm around Nico’s shoulder. Nico let herself enjoying it. Just slightly.

“Nico heard piano music for three months when nobody was in the house, you weren’t there, Nico was all alone, and it sounded like you in a gloomy mood. How do you think that affected me?”

Maki seemed surprised. “I overdid it?”

“Like tsunamis overdo it.”

Maki sighed, “I wanted this to a be a fun thing we could laugh about, Nico-chan. Like your pranks”

“When Nico recognized you and then the water swallowed you up…” Nico knew she was crying and it was silly but she, she just couldn’t stop herself. At least the tears were warm.

Maki sounded horrified. “I’m so sorry, Nico-chan, I didn’t think you’d actually worry,,,”

“Maki’s a dope sometimes.”

“Maki is a dope sometimes.” Maki stood, picking up Nico, “I’m so sorry, Nico-chan. Let me make it up to you.”

“Nico is not going to the party.”

Maki stepped onto the dock, “How about the penthouse?”

“Nozomi and the twins never mention this again. The footage gets deleted.”

“I promise.”

“You stay out of the pranking business.”

“But Nico-chan…”

“Unless you’re on Nico’s team.”

“Same for you?” Maki had honestly always been good natured about Nico’s pranks. But Nico had always made sure the treats were better.

Nico inhaled, “We can still prank Umi?”

“Always.”

“Okay, Nico is out of the pranking wives business.”

“What about the kissing wives business.” Maki could still sound adorably shy, two children and thirty years later.

“We’ll talk about that in the penthouse.”

Maki’s walk leapt to gallop.

“Put Nico down if you’re going to run.”

“Nope.” Maki’s arm tightened, “Not sharing my treat.”

Nico laughed, Maki joining her. Another crazy, memorable night. Nico would grin at the memory of the look of horror on You’s face at Nico with the knife for years. They could add her to the to be pranked list. Dia still owed her a few from high school. Maybe Maki wasn’t a target anymore but that still left so many possibilities.

“Making a list of targets?”

“You know Nico so well.”

“I love you, Nico-chan.” A quick kiss on Nico’s hair and then Maki let Nico drop. “Catch me.” Maki took off at a sprint.

Nico knew she’d catch her easily and took a minute to enjoy the view. More memories to make. And then Nico grabbed for her favorite girl.

A/N: Happy Halloween. What's your costume?