*&. SUN / RISE

                 *             —  rules   &   muses  .

@tamedgod / late mistletoe but its still january it still counts

what else would one do when the subject of their affections is already infront? she already agreed to walk with him as they enjoy the festivities, the little party for the company he had been for maybe a few months, a year? how long had he been here? phainon almost scratches his cheek in confusion, thinking about the weeks he spent learning, and putting those into work — and after that he'll be out to that familiar restaurant and put on some work again.

he shouldn't even be thinking of work right now, not when haru is looking too beautiful under the dim lights and decorations and the mistletoe.

that's too convenient, isn't it?

maybe this is the sign he wished for infront his mirror earlier as he got ready, even when his best friend yelled at him from below his window to get it going. he asked the man in the mirror if there is any sign that he should actually, officially, pursue his feelings for her. a crush that bloomed into something more, something ... he admits to himself that he looked forward to everyday. but of course the man in the mirror only looked at him the same way he looked at them, blinking in confusion, with cheeks tinted pink and when his friend saw him, he tried to hide it. not even in the party yet and he's acting like a drunken fool. he might be smiling by himself.

phainon pretended to not notice it ( pretend even it's not something he was looking forward to, a little, some hopeful thinking / pretended he doesn't know what it was for ( he already considered hanging one up where she usually passes by at the office, then remove it once it was done and over, stupid plan really — even the lady guard said so ) ). his nape turns slightly red as he thought of her beside him, if she did saw it instead. maybe she did —

"...phainon — um."

he should say something. but everything in him feels like a live wire, any sudden movement and he's going to shock himself dead. or unconscious, not to be dramatic. so he only angles his head slightly to acknowledge her. watches how her gaze drifted from him to the wish granter decoration above them. he's good with looking like he's always confused, a perpetual state of thinking and unthinking, so he only blinks at her. tilts his head to the side now, like a very confused puppy. ( she's so cute! her cheeks so red and ... focus phainon, don't get too giddy about seeing your crush now. act a little cool, not a fool ).

too late he supposes.

it's a brief touch on his cheek, and he's already bashful, trying to hide his face by looking at their shoes. wow, her shoes look so nice tonight! wait — no! phainon focus! phainon wants to say something, parts his mouth to speak — make it lighthearted and not weird.

he was smiling, yes, of course, even as she already pulled away. even as she was already so red and embarrassed? shy? but he wasn't so different, his cheeks and ears as red as the ribbon around that mistletoe above them. merry christmas, she says, and phainon almost misses it, the loud thumping in his chest making hearing difficult even.

❛ Wh ... ❜, he can't even form any words, and it might be cliche, but the world around them felt like it didn't matter. at the back of his head he's hoping nobody is looking at their direction, that the decorations around the garden was enough to hide them away. then he found himself not even caring as he keeps his eyes on her, his smile bigger, brighter — a surge of courage from all that happiness in his chest. he steps once, just enough to be closer, more intimate, an intention. and phainon gives her a chance, a second — stretching into a minute, before he cups her cheek and returns her kiss. head slightly angled, but just as chaste as it was with hers. he didn't want to push his luck after all, and ... he just wanted her to know.

want her to know he likes her. he really really likes her.

Sometimes she gets a little worried about the people working for Lady Çyreni, are they not using their leaves? Are they working too much hours? Sometimes she does see the white-haired lady around too that's working longer hours but she's some guard so that's acceptable - ish. But sometimes she does spot Mr. Xiaolong and the other girl ... Ms. Haru — she places a hand over her mouth in a soft gasp. Could they be ... no, that's not possible. Think about it Bronya ... if the lady guard is around she wouldn't allow such things to occur. And their maintenance wouldn't like to clean up such things as well. Oh why is she thinking of such things! Her cheeks flush a slight pink and she peeks at the folder and the tablet on her arms. It's lunch time and she personally does not mind if the employees horse around a little here and there, just to lighten up their moods before they return to work.

But perhaps Mr. Xiaolong / @tamedgod took it differently.