Archive of Our Own ^beta

“And so, to celebrate yet another successful negotiation done by the one and only, the amazing, the undeniably-talented and, erm, relatively-acceptable Spacian,”

Suletta sees Miorine roll her eyes. She herself giggles. 

Ojelo goes on, “... I hereby present to you—yep, drumroll please…” 

The boys, namely, just Nuno (or, well, Lilique is participating because she’s nice and everything), start pounding on the table to create the desired effect.

“Thank you, thank you,” Ojelo clears his throat, “... I present to you, our incredible, genius, CEO Miorine Rembran, who has once again successfully won over another partnership!”

The confetti poppers go off, followed by a round of applause. Cheering from all of the Earth House ensues—even Chuchu seems to be pleased, smirking a little. Suletta, meanwhile, watches proudly. It was only several weeks ago that everyone was bothered by Miorine’s, uh, rather aggressive… acquisition? Sure, let’s go with that. They weren’t all that pleased with her acquisition of the Earth House, citing a myriad of differences at first, but now, look at them, hosting celebrations for her and all. 

“You’ll stay longer this time before going on another trip, right, Miorine?” Aliya speaks up. 

Miorine brushes the tiny pieces of confetti off her shoulders. “Hm. My next one with a group that’s interested in improving our marketing strategies isn’t until two weeks later. I’ll be staying a bit.”

Suletta hears herself sighing with relief. 

“That’s nice,” Lilique smiles. “Isn’t it, Suletta?”

She grins, and it’s all involuntary. “Yes!” Suletta fiddles with her fingers, suddenly feeling nervous. “Ms. Miorine’s presence will surely get everyone more organized.”

“Huh?!” Chuchu jumps in, arms crossed. “What’s that supposed to mean? Are you implying that we’re an incompetent bunch if her highness wasn’t here to boss us around?”

“N-no! No, not at all! I-I’m sorry…!” She shrieks, instinctively finding Miorine’s much tinier frame to hide behind. 

“Calm down, Chuchu,” Nika laughs, along with everyone else in the room. “Miorine was nice enough to tutor everyone on that safety procedural test, wasn’t she? Thanks to her, Earth House ranked pretty high.”

Chuchu huffs. “She was reviewing with us, that’s all.”

“Nah, I wouldn’t say that,” Martin jumps in, obviously trying to resolve the tension. “Miorine took the time to do it when she didn’t have to! I-I mean, without her, I’m pretty sure Nuno and Ojelo would’ve failed, at the very least.”

“Ugh, don’t remind me. It’s so dumb,” Nuno groans, adjusting his beanie. “Same test every year, but they keep changing the questions. It’s like if we were on a cruise and, like, one moment they tell us to run to one end for the lifeboat, and then the next they tell us to learn how to swim. Ridiculous.”

Suletta tilts her head, confused. She stands there wondering what a cruise is, but the conversation is cut short, as Till has walked in, telling everyone with his usual, neutral tone, “Food’s here.” He holds several boxes of, ooh, is that pizza? “There’s more outside. On the scooter. Somebody go help.”

“Aw, no way, dude,” Ojelo says. “There’s more?!”

“Just the drinks.”

The rest of the boys head outside while Till and the girls help set up the table. They use their usual long table for all sorts of things, like doing homework and studying, but it’s when they eat together that heightens the atmosphere—creates an overall more energetic vibe, if you will. 

Kinda like… having a family to eat together.

“Here, Ms. Miorine,” Lilique grins, directing the girl towards a seat. “You can sit here!”

Miorine nods once. “Thanks.”

Suletta smiles, finding joy in how her bride is so welcomed. She follows close behind, and, naturally, thinking that she would be seated next to Miorine. 

But then.

Till takes the seat just as she does. 

Oh, okay. No matter. She’ll just take the other side—

Aliya sits down. 

Suletta blinks. 

“Suletta,” Chuchu calls to her from the other end of the table. “What are you doing, just standing there?”

“O-oh, um, I was just…”

“Come sit down,” Nika offers her gently, gesturing at the empty seat between herself and Chuchu.

She feels her heart shudder a little, as though she’s lost something. Suletta gives them her thanks, she is making her way towards them, but just as she does, there is this inherent need to glance at Miorine. 

Miorine, who sits upright, a leg crossed over another. So regal and proper and authoritative. Her expression unreadable, she stares blankly in front of her.

The shudder in her then comes with a cold chill. Suletta doesn’t know what she’s feeling, but it… it’s weird. Like something’s putting pressure on her chest. I-is it getting kind of hard to breathe in here? Are the ventilation systems okay? Gosh, so many things going through her head, but—well, everyone seems to be acting normally. She’s just—she’s being weird. Suletta decides to ignore it all together. Just takes her seat gratefully, and helps everyone pass along the food—all the while staring at her bride, who doesn’t once look back at her. 

.
.

“Oof, I’m so full.”

“There are still so many pieces left, though…”

“Psh. Didn’t you know? Leftover pizza is the best thing ever.”

The girls groan together, with Chuchu being particularly vocal. “Ugh, I’m not having Spacian pizza for the rest of my life. That was so greasy. Nothing at all like the pizza back on earth.”

“Mmm…” Martin closes his eyes. “Real cheese and real meat. I’d seriously kill for that…”

Suletta purses her lip. “But, isn’t… isn’t that even greasier?”

“You don’t understand!” Ojelo jumps in. “The flavour that real food brings—god. I’m so full, but my mouth is watering from the thought of it all…!”

The Earth House, obviously coming from the same place, seems to also share the same mind. Everyone collectively sighs, their shoulders heaving in exasperation. The recounting of some nostalgic memory that neither Suletta nor Miorine can ever pretend to comprehend, the two girls find each other through the confusion. 

Suletta forces out an awkward chuckle, while Miorine rolls her eyes, but there is, undoubtedly, a hint of a smile. 

“Say…” Nuno starts, being the only one still munching on his food, his speech is slightly slurred. “Since, like, this is a party right? It’s also kinda early, should we play a game or something? Not that we have class tomorrow.”

Everyone eyes each other. 

“Um, sorry, w-what are we playing?” Suletta speaks up. 

At that, the rest of the Earth House turns to her with this… what is it, rather menacing look? Yes, that’s how it should be described. I-it’s almost like everyone has something planned—some malicious intent, waiting up their sleeves. Like they’re going to ambush her with s-some… oh god, engineering manuals to memorize? O-or worse! Surprise her with a mobile suit exam that she’s still undoubtedly traumatized about?! Please, no. Please, spare her—

“You don’t gotta be so scared, Suletta,” Chuchu pats her on the back. 

Mind you, she does it quite roughly. Suletta thinks she may have coughed out her lungs or something at the impact. 

“Be easy on her, Chuchu,” Ojelo says. “Our ace pilot is losing her mind before the game’s even started!”

“No, but really—” Suletta chokes, “What are we playing?”

“We can take out some board games,” Aliya offers. 

Most of the house groans in disagreement. 

“Nah-uh. No way,” Chuchu says. “Ain’t nobody got time to explain the rules to the Spacians. Especially with the more challenging games that we have.”

“But, Chuchu,” Lilique argues. “We mostly have strategy games, and… I’m pretty sure Miorine will be quite good at them. And Suletta learns really fast too—”

“We’re not playing shitty board games, alright?!” 

Ojelo and Nuno scoff in the background. Then, one of them starts, in a very, very small voice—

“Psh. Bet she just doesn’t want to play because she loses every time.”

“HUH?!” Chuchu stands up, her chair falling over, “If you got something to say, say it to my face, you assholes!”

Your typical banter ensues. Chuchu has every intention to run over to the two boys (perhaps to beat them up or something), but she is being held back by the girls. The boys, on the other hand, are just hiding behind each other. 

It’s nothing unusual. Happens far too often. Suletta was quite frightened by their behaviour at first, but now it’s just business as usual. Although, she has to point out that they never fail to disorientate her. She just hopes that this isn’t too much for Miorine. She isn’t the type to enjoy so much noise, after all. Sneaking a glance at her, Suletta can only note that she’s just… sitting there, still indifferent about all the commotion going on around her. 

Is she tired? 

Is this too much?

Does she want to leave but doesn’t want to interrupt to kill the vibe?

Suletta has so many questions. P-perhaps she should speak up. Maybe she should be responsible and take care of her bride, let everyone know that—

“Truth or Dare.”

Silence fills the room. It happens every time when Till speaks up. Slowly, they turn to him. 

The silver-haired boy acknowledges the attention he’s receiving with little reaction. He just takes a sip of his drink before saying again, “Truth or Dare. We can play that.”

Just like that, the argument has ceased. The girls release Chuchu, and the boys no longer need to be hiding. “Ooh, great idea! Didn’t know you had it in you, Till!”

There isn’t a cue or anything—everyone just gets to work. They move their chairs to the empty space in the room, setting everything up in a circle. Honestly, they’re displaying some excellent teamwork—almost on par with their duel against the Grassley House. Lilique pushes a smaller table into the circle, and then Aliya places an emptied glass bottle on it. Not upright, just… down. Which is weird.

“You spin the bottle,” Nika tells Suletta, perhaps because she sees her confusion. “Whoever it points to, the spinner has the right to ask the person to answer to a dare or a truth.”

She blinks, eyelids fluttering.

“Meaning, if you’re the one asking, you can basically demand anything. Dare the person to do anything crazy, or ask them anything personal. Totally up to you! Or, well, up to the person. It’s up to what they choose, hence the namesake.” Lilique joins in to explain. 

“O-oh,” what a strange game. “I see. But, um, sorry, why are we doing this?”

They let out a light chuckle in unison. 

“It’s a form of bonding game, Suletta!” Lilique tells her. “Kids on Earth played it a lot. You get to know more about people through this game.”

Huh. That’s… nice, she supposes. 

But then comes a problem. 

Suletta glances at Miorine once more, who, as always, is just sitting there, arms crossed now. Okay, maybe she is tired? She just came back from a business trip and everything—barely had the time to take a breather. Suletta should walk her back to her room, encourage her to take a good night’s rest and—

“Hey, Miorine! You playing or what?” comes Chuchu’s voice, snapping her attention away from Miorine.

But then, just as quickly, Suletta turns back to her bride. 

There is yet another brief moment where their eyes meet. Like, maybe just a flash. Maybe half a millisecond. Zero point zero, zero, zero, zero one or something. It is but a quick glimpse, but Suletta knows that Miorine is the one to seek her out. Though, she isn’t given the time to process that tiny interaction, for the girl is already speaking up, “Fine,” moving to take a seat around the circle. 

The entirety of the Earth House is stuck in this momentary pause. Like they’ve been shocked by some sort of static. Why, of course—Miorine Rembran is in for a game?! That’s unheard of. She has always been so anti-social. I-is this the first sign of her opening up? Is she, at last, liking the idea of making friends?

Oh, Suletta is so happy.

“Suletta!” Chuchu’s voice interrupts her thoughts. “We’re waiting on you again. Would you come sit down already?”

“Ah, y-yes! Sorry!” She scrambles to get to her seat, the chair actually wobbling a little when she sits down.

Again, she sits across from Miorine. Again, she feels this slight… emptiness in her.

How strange.

“Alright,” Nuno claps his hands together, “Who’s starting?”

Lilique taps a finger at her chin. “Can’t we just decide with rock-paper-scissors?”

“Wait, we need to figure out the punishment for those who chicken out,” Ojelo says. “Erm, how about… clean up the entire building for a week?”

“A week only?” Chuchu grimaces. “How ‘bout a month?”

“Man, the animal pen alone is going to take years…”

“Then let’s just have the person clean the pen alone?”

Everyone nods. Wordless approvals. No disagreements.

“It’s settled, then,” Aliya smiles, eyeing the bottle with anticipation. “Who’s going first?”

“Maybe Suletta or Miorine? To give them an idea of how it works.” Nika suggests. 

Everyone collectively shifts their focus to them. As the holder and bride are sitting opposite of each other, their heads turn like pendulums—first to Suletta, and then to Miorine. The latter, looking much more impatient, doesn’t get much acknowledgement. It’s like the very act of looking at her would kill, which explains why everyone ends up turning to Suletta. 

“Erm… okay,” Martin gestures at the empty bottle. “I-if you may, Suletta, go ahead and spin it.”

She doesn’t really get it, to be honest. But she doesn’t want to disappoint anyone either, so she does as she is told. It spins, wobbling a little as it slows down, until it stops at Chuchu.

The girl in question makes a noise. “Tsk.”

“Okay, Suletta, your call!”

She blinks. “Uh, um,” swallowing. “I-is this where I ask ‘truth or dare’ ?”

“Yep!” The girls answer her together. Well, except for Chuchu, that is.

Suletta nods. “Okay. T-truth or dare?” She says to Chuchu.

“Dare. Get it over with.” She rolls her eyes. 

“Psh. Typical,” says one of the boys.

“C’mon, Suletta. Give her something hard!”

She’s still confused. The game doesn’t make sense. She’s never read it being played in the anime she’s watched, but oh, they’re counting on her, it seems. So, she needs to try. She needs to try hard—

“I-I dare you to… t-to,” she hesitates, “... r-remove your, um, jacket…?”

“Huh.”

Everyone deadpans. Just. They gawk at her. Even Miorine. 

“D-did I say something wrong?”

Nuno does a face-palm. Ojelo shakes his head, doing his best not to look embarrassed or something.

The rest of Earth House sigh in unison, before Nika is kind enough to speak up, “You’re getting the right idea, Suletta,” she chuckles. “But, just… you need a bit more oomph to your demands.”

“Oomph?”

“It needs to be challenging, you dumbass,” Chuchu groans as she removes her jacket. “See? Me taking this off isn’t hard at all. You need to ask people to do something they usually wouldn’t do.”

At that, it’s like a light bulb has switched on in her head—a eureka! moment. “Then! Um! M-Ms. Chuchu, I dare you to… to be nicer to Ms. Miorine from now on!”

“Too late, idiot,” the girl argues, smirking. “It’s not your turn anymore.” She takes the bottle, waving it in a taunt before spinning it on the same little table. 

Suletta watches it intently, praying in silence that it would land on her so that she would get another turn. But of course, it doesn’t.

“Martin!” Chuchu grins. “Truth or dare?”

The Earth House leader’s expression becomes uneasy, like he wants out. But, to be fair, he looks like that all the time. “T-truth…?”

“Of course,” Chuchu frowns, but it is soon replaced by that returning, scheming smirk, “Then, in that case, what turns you on?”

“Wha—!”

Suletta immediately turns red. The rest of the Earth House, however, lets out this obnoxious and over-excited, ‘oooooh’, which comparatively makes her own little dare seem childish. 

“Come on, Martin, you can’t chicken out.”

“Unless you want to clean the pen.”

“I-I’m not chickening out!” he argues. For a minute, Martin considers. 

Suletta can tell—he’s really, really deep in thought. Just, look at him! Biting his nails, staring at the floor. It’s almost like he’s making mental calculations in his head. 

At last, after what seems like an actual minute, he speaks up again— “Intelligence, maybe?”

Some groans are heard. 

“Boring.”

“Basic as hell.”

“Boo!”

But Suletta doesn’t find that to be a bad answer. She thinks intelligence is really attractive. Everyone in the Earth House, for example, is smart, and she admires them all for it. Nika and her engineering, Chuchu and her piloting skills, Till and his calculating skills, and, if she may—her eyes dart to the girl across from her—Miorine with her understanding of literally anything that she touches. 

Handling all those different breeds of plants, that time with the Demi Trainer test where she just took on both spotter and mechanic. Can’t forget to mention the Incubation Party, where her bride literally improvised a company—only to have it be approved immediately! It’s incredible, all of it, all of Miorine. 

So as everyone continues to throw boo’s and whatnot at Martin, she can only offer him a sympathetic smile.

“Alright, next! C’mon, stop wasting time!” comes Nuno, who is apparently all hyped up now that the game’s rolling. 

Martin spins the bottle, where it stops at Aliya. “Truth or dare?”

She makes a face, deep in thought. “Hm. Dare, perhaps?”

“Uh…” he looks around the room as though searching for inspiration. “I dare you to… kiss whoever you think is the most attractive here?”

Suletta breathes in. How is everyone getting these crazy ideas?!

“Damn.”

“That’s a good one.”

Ojelo punches the leader on the arm. “Didn’t know you had it in you, man!”

As Martin basks in the positive feedback, Aliya sits there, frowning. She takes a moment to observe the circle. Like she is window-shopping. For a bit, Suletta finds Aliya’s eyes on Miorine. And, just, for whatever reason, she finds herself gripping onto the hem of her shorts. It’s an urge, really, a rush that makes her tense up, makes her… afraid? Something like that. Which doesn’t really make sense, because what is there to be afraid of?

In the midst of her little mental conflict, she doesn’t even realize that Aliya’s gaze has shifted onto her. 

Suletta sees her smirking. Devious, menacing, even—not unlike how Chuchu looked earlier. But then comes a soft smile. Aliya stands, makes her way around the circle until she stops at Till. She places a hand on his shoulder, bends down, and pecks him on the cheek. 

“Whaaat?!” Nuno exclaims.

“Ain’t no way,” Chuchu says. 

“Till!” Ojelo cries. “Of all of us, you chose Till?!”

Nonchalantly, Aliya makes her way back to her seat. “I had other choices,” she says, very obviously eyeing Miorine who still appears as though she couldn’t care less about this whole fiasco. “But, y’know,” and then Aliya looks towards Suletta. 

The smile returns.

Suletta gulps. Aliya never looked like this before. All smirky and scheming and just… scary. 

“Till’s quite handsome, in my opinion. Much better than you boys,” Aliya tells everyone. Before she can hear any of their protests, however, she goes on to spin the bottle. “Anyway. Let’s see who’s next, shall we?”

It stops at Lilique. Same old, same old. The default question is asked, and she chooses ‘truth’. Something about her relationship with a guy called John Van—something. Suletta isn’t really sure, but she knows that there is a lot of denial. The subject is dropped immediately after Lilique’s explanation, and the game continues. 

Next is Nuno, who gets dared to eat an entire slice of pizza in one bite. He does it—nearly chokes—but he does it. 

Then, very unfortunately for Martin, it goes back to him, who is forced to choose ‘dare’ this time around. He’s made to do twenty push-ups, which… to be fair, may be a bit difficult for someone who doesn’t work out regularly. And so, when he returns to spin the bottle, he does it with a forehead of sweat. 

“Truth…” he pants, gasping for air, “... or dare?” 

Suletta bites her lower lip. “Um,” honestly, she’s more concerned about Martin’s condition than her own answer. “Truth. I-I choose truth this time.”

“O-okay…” Martin struggles to speak. “Who… who is—”

“Jeez. Catch your breath first, dude,” Chuchu tells him.

He tries. Martin is really trying, but he’s still sweating, it seems. Lilique is kind enough to pass him a drink, to which he downs in one gulp. Ojelo pats him on the back, which only makes him cough in pain. Poor guy, might Suletta suggest a proper workout regimen for him later?

“Okay. Sorry, I’m back. I-I’m okay now.” He clears his throat. “Suletta.”

“Y-yes?” She sits straight.

“Guel, Elan, and Shaddiq,” Martin starts, “Date, marry, and kill. Choose one for each.”

Quite self-explanatory, yes, but… but that’s not the problem!

“Huh?!”

“God damn,” Ojelo laughs. “How long have you been saving that one for?”

“Well, I,” Martin says nervously, “Kinda… just came up with it. So, Suletta?”

“Ah—er, um…” she stutters, eyelids fluttering as her brain spins. It’s all out of her control. She knows all attention is on her, she knows whatever she says, whatever she does would be under the spotlight, but she can’t help it. Her eyes naturally find Miorine’s, who, as always, doesn’t seem interested. 

But she is looking at her. 

“I…” she begins, directing her words at Miorine as if asking for permission. “I—I’m not sure.”

“Would you be more sure if you had to be on cleaning duty?” comes somebody’s voice. 

Nuno’s, probably. Suletta doesn’t know. She’s still looking at Miorine. 

“I-I’ll date…” 

Miorine turns away. 

“I…” Suletta’s voice is trembling. Seriously, it happens a lot, but not to this extent. How her heart pounds—a growing fear gnaws at her core—not because she’s afraid of answering, but because she doesn’t know how. She doesn’t have an answer. She… she doesn’t want to do any of those things with any of them! Dating? Marriage?! She’s already promised to someone else, how can she possibly be a two-timer? O-or, well, in this case, a… four-timer?

“Okay, guys, this is a bit too mean, don’t you think?” Nika speaks up.

Which, thank god.

“Come on, Martin. Be a more responsible house leader. Go easy on her.” 

Martin starts to stammer. “Ah, r-right,” he sees the trouble that he’s brought to Suletta—not that it’s hard. She’s so easy to read, after all. “Sorry, I kind of got carried away. Um. H-how about… er, which of the three do you think is the most good looking?”

Well, that’s much easier. 

“Mr. Elan.” Suletta says without hesitation. She thinks of how he resembles those princes she read in the fairytales when she was a kid. How, as she snuggles in a little blankie in Aerial’s cockpit, she would read these stories out loud. The descriptions were always so vivid, so colourful, and everything had been ingrained in her imagination. The way the prince would always save the princess, how he would kiss her on the lips, how they would live happily ever after. She loved how magical they were. She would read them over and over, but as she approached her teens, she started to wonder—why did those princesses fall in love with characters that lacked depth? Surely, it can’t just be the looks, right?

The first time she laid eyes on Elan, she thought of those princes. Good looking indeed, but he lacks depth. Lacks character. 

But she knows someone else who is very prince-like. Beautiful, elegant, and has a strong, strong personality. The way she would save her. The way she would stand up for her.

How she fought for her rights to stay at school, how she stood up for her at the Incubation Party, how she would always be there to help her. 

Suletta smiles to herself at the thought of this prince. She raises her head, only… to see everyone eyeing her weirdly. 

“W-what?” she asks.

The boys pretend to be occupied. Looking at everything and anything that isn’t Suletta. 

Chuchu does this awkward clearing-of-the-throat.

Nika kind of gives her a hesitant smile. 

Aliya has a hand covering her face.

Lilique, with an expression as awkward as the rest of the house, lowkey gestures towards, you guessed it, her bride.

And her bride, of course, isn’t looking her way. She’s just, y’know, crossed her arms and is appearing extra grumpy. 

O-oh, dear. Is it something she said? Gosh, of course it’s something she said. “I-I mean…!”

“Keep going.” Miorine speaks up. And it’s haunting. The way her silver eyes pierce into her soul in that brief moment where they look at each other. 

Suletta legitimately jolts. I-it’s like… it’s like she’s been caught cheating or something. “M-Ms. Miorine—”

“I said, keep going.”

She swallows. A resounding gulp. Suletta’s hand trembles as she reaches for the bottle. It spins and spins, delicate glass rattling on the table. In slow-motion, like the hands of a clock, it moves. Until at last, it lands on Till.

Not wanting to waste anyone’s time, Suletta gets right to it. She’s been mentally taking notes after everyone, making sure to ask something that has some oomph this time around, “Mr. T-Till, truth or dare?”

“Truth.”

Ooh, he’s speaking fast too. Best be quick about this— “Ah, uh… w-who do you think is the most beautiful girl here in—”

“You.”

Suletta stops. Just, freezes.

Till answered that so calmly, with so much nonchalance that it threw her off. It probably threw everyone off. But the guy’s already spinning the bottle, already moving onto the next person. 

It is only when the bottle stops that Suletta realizes she is blushing. She tries her best not to look embarrassed, not to look like she has trouble breathing or, well, coming back to reality in general. But then she catches a glimpse of Miorine, whose eyes are widened in shock. Actually, it’s not just shock. There’s also… what is it, annoyance? Or is it frustration? Whatever it may be, it certainly relates to irritation. 

In what seems to be a split second, Suletta finds Miorine’s eyes. It’s brief, but the connection is definitely there. They break apart just as quickly, however, as if prolonging this… this moment would make them spontaneously combust. 

Which is ridiculous, because what—what the heck?!

“Chuchu.”

Ah, right. T-the bottle. It’s finally stopped.

“Ugh. Again?!” She grunts. “Fine. Whatever. Dare.”

She’s dared to call up someone she’s had differences with from a class she took last year. Suletta isn’t really sure on the details, nor is she going to ask, but she likes how earnestly Chuchu completes the dare. Like, she actually does it without backing off—apologized with respect, too! What are the chances?

But the amazement soon dissipates when the bottle stops at her. 

Oh, boy. She’s starting to like this game less and less. 

“Suletta,” Chuchu gives her a menacing grin. “Truth or dare?”

She’s legitimately scared of what this girl can think of. The logical thing, therefore, is to choose the less challenging option. “T-truth.”

“Mm-hmm, I’d thought so,” Chuchu responds with a devilish smirk. “Tell us, dear Holder, how far have you actually gotten with your bride?”

“Chuchu!” Nika. 

“Oh, man. That’s kinda…” Ojelo. He’s turning red. 

“Actually, I’m kind of curious.” Aliya remarks casually, and Lilique is nodding beside her. 

But Suletta sits there, confused. “H-how far… what?”

Chuchu gawks. “You can’t be serious. Do you not get the question?”

She shakes her head. “Um. N-no…? Oh, d-do you mean, how far I am from… um, meeting Ms. Miorine’s expectations? I-I actually am not sure. I’ve—”

“No!” Chuchu exclaims. “For real, woman?!”

Suletta shirks. “I-I’m sorry!”

“I mean what couple stuff have you two even done? Have you hugged? Kissed? Hell, have you two even touched each other yet?!”

She squeaks. Suletta feels that blush returning, this time shooting all the way to the crown of her head. Goodness, there might even be steam coming out from the top. “T-touch…? T-t-that’s…!” She never planned it. Never intended for this to happen. But her eyes shift towards Miorine, like it is the most natural thing to do. An uncontrolled gravitation, perhaps it should be called. As though if she does it, she would be saved. Somehow, maybe her bride will save her—help her out of this situation, as she always does.

But Suletta catches Miorine looking rather pink. Much like herself, she isn’t doing a good job hiding it. And somehow, that makes Suletta feel bad. 

Like… like she should do something to help her. 

“... I won’t do any of that,” Suletta starts in a small voice. 

It silences everyone. Freezes the moment. 

“I… I can’t. That—that’s disrespectful to Ms. Miorine.”

And this silence, however abrupt, prolongs. Just as she raises her head to find Miorine, just as the girl stares back in slight surprise, Suletta smiles sadly. She soon looks away, as an irrational fear grows—like she doesn’t have the right to look at Miorine. Doesn’t have the permission to do so. 

Because from the start, this is all just part of the deal, no? That she is going to be her shield. They’ll work together, sure, but only as colleagues—classmates, at best. Suletta is a fool to cling onto words like ‘groom’ and ‘bride’ like they are her lifeline. It’s stupid, because from the start, they don’t mean anything to Miorine.

She takes the bottle and spins it. 

It stops at Nika. 

Suletta half-heartedly asks the question, and Nika answers with a quiet ‘dare’. She may have asked her something about getting a perfect score on her next exam. Something dumb—just as she herself is. 

But then comes the next person. Nika spins the bottle.

“Miorine.”

All eyes are on the girl, Suletta included. 

“Dare.” Miorine says without a moment’s hesitation. 

Huh, weird. But the answer isn’t completely surprising. After all, Miorine is a secretive person. A-and she is quite daring, if Suletta’s going to be honest. But what makes her head spin is the fact that she’s really playing. By now, you’d think Miorine would have walked off because of how ‘lame’ or ‘dumb’ everything is, as she may put it. 

Yet, she has chosen ‘dare’.

“I dare you,” Nika begins, voice projecting loudly and clearly, “to kiss someone other than Suletta in this room.”

An instinct. A reflex. 

Suletta’s eyes may have widened so much that they’d fallen out of their sockets. She doesn’t realize it, but her usual coping mechanism—gripping onto her shorts, biting at the lower lip—all of that is in motion. Right now, as it stands, Suletta needs every bit of leverage. 

It certainly doesn’t help that everyone else in the room seems to be making these weird noises. All those ooh’s and whistling and, worst of all, obvious gazes on her. 

Miorine, meanwhile, is observing the circle, expression unreadable. Once or twice, she may have made eye contact with Suletta, but it never lasts. 

Each time it happens, however, Suletta finds herself screaming something. In her head, of course. Gosh, she will never have it in her to speak out loud. I-it’s too scary. Too much attention. But she does it in her head, yes. She does it telepathically, praying that Miorine can hear her—

Don’t. Please, don’t.

But why does it matter so much? Why would it matter if Miorine chooses to kiss someone other than herself? She’s already established that this ‘bride’ and ‘groom’ thing is but a front. 

Suletta’s convinced herself. She thought she did. But, just…

Miorine stands from her seat. 

And this simple action gets her heart pounding. It’s so, so uncomfortable. 

Her bride stops next to Chuchu. 

No, no, no. That word means nothing. It means nothing. But—oh, god. Suletta tries to swallow, but her throat is dry. S-she can’t breathe. She can’t watch. 

Miorine bends lower. She leans in, closing her eyes. 

The room is silent. Nobody makes a noise. Nobody—

“Stop.” 

—only to realize that somehow, somewhere, she’s stood up. Not only that, but she’s standing in between Miorine and Chuchu, the former’s wrist in her own hand, which she is gripping firmly. 

“... what are you doing, Suletta?” Miorine’s voice.

She blinks herself back to reality. Her hand trembles, shaking with an emotion she’s never once felt in her life until now, and she stares at Miorine in horror. “I-I…”

Her attention is on the rest of Earth House. Just like herself, everyone is in shock. The boys whose jaws are hung loose—the girls, teeth clenched in what seems to be an attempt to channel away the awkward tension. Even Chuchu, caught in the middle of it all, is uncharacteristically speechless. 

Suletta releases Miorine. “I’m sorry,” she apologizes. “I-I messed up the game, didn’t I? I… I’ll take the punishment. I’m so sorry, everyone.”

The reaction isn’t immediate as the inadvertent heaviness in the air has rendered everyone with, well, literally nothing to say. 

But then Nika, being the mediator that she always is, speaks up, “Well, I think that’s enough for tonight, don’t you guys think?”

“Uh, yeah,” Martin joins in. “Let’s clean up, and—um, call it a night.”

“Hey, Suletta?” Ojelo nudges her on the arm. “Don’t worry about the punishment, okay? This game was kinda scuffed, anyway.”

She shakes her head, feigns a smile, “No, that—that’s not fair. I should—”

But she is cut off. Can’t finish, as Miorine has walked past her. 

“I’m leaving,” she says simply.

The faint scent of her shampoo—sweet and fruity—brushes by. It distracts Suletta momentarily, and her eyes follow Miorine until she leaves the room. 

And without her presence, Suletta suddenly feels empty. 

.
.

With everyone’s cooperation, it doesn’t take long to clean things up. Throw this in the trash, throw the leftovers in the fridge, and it’s all good. The boys retire to their side of the dormitory, and the girls do the same. As per usual, they take turns with the shower, where today, Suletta volunteers to be the last.

Truth is, she just wants some time alone. She makes up some excuse that even though she doesn’t have to clean up the pen, she should at least mop the dining area. Just something. She needs to do something to avoid everyone. 

So as she stands under the dim lighting of the room, where everything is grey and metallic and colourless, she fights the ringing in her ears. More than that, she shoves away the heavy weight in her heart that’s been looming at her since Miorine left. Or, more precisely, since she made that stupid move. 

“I’m done with the shower, Suletta,” comes Chuchu’s voice from the corridor that leads to the dorms.

She spins on her heels. “O-oh, yes!” And then she proceeds to pretend that she’s hard at work. Putting her back into it as she scrubs the floor. “I-I’ll go as soon as I’m done!”

A soft tsk is heard. “Y’know, you Spacians are really annoying.”

Suletta pauses. “I-I’m sorry?”

Chuchu just rolls her eyes. “Pointless talking to you. C’mere.”

She obeys without question. 

“Give me your student handbook.”

Suletta hands it over. She starts fiddling with her fingers as she watches Chuchu typing in something. “Um… w-what are you doing?”

Wordlessly, Chuchu hands device back to her. “Helping the two of you get your shit together.”

“Get—what…?” But she isn’t given an answer. In fact, she can’t wait for the answer, as her phone is buzzing. Suletta’s eyes widen as she sucks in a deep breath when she sees the name on the screen. “M-M-Ms. Mio—”

“I told her you wanted to talk,” she smirks. “That’s the truth, isn’t it?”

“Ye–well, I-I, I don’t know! I’m…!”

“Pick up the phone, Suletta,” Chuchu turns around and starts walking away, but not before adding, “And tell the princess that next time she wants to get your attention, she doesn’t need to drag me of all people in like that.”

“Ms. Chuchu—”

“G’night.”

She disappears into the dark corridor. And the phone is still buzzing relentlessly in her hand. Ah, it’s bad manners to ignore calls, Suletta knows that much! But at the same time, if she picks up, she doesn’t know what to say. 

Disheartened and lost, Suletta holds the phone in her hands. 

All these strange emotions swirl like a maelstrom inside of her, but there is one thing that she’s certain of. 

She presses ‘receive’. 

“H-hello?”

“Took you long enough.”

It’s instantaneous. She breaks into a grin. The grumpy voice never fails to make her stomach flutter. “Sorry, I was…” why is she even coming up with an excuse? “... I was looking for some place quiet. I-I didn’t want to disturb the others.”

“Mmn. So? What did you want to talk about?”

She finds a chair. Sits with a stiff posture as she tries her best to convey her words. “I don’t really know,” Suletta stares at the ceiling, at the metal pipes and railings and whatnot. “Just, I-I feel like I haven’t talked with you for a long time, Ms. Miorine.”

No response. But there is a faint sigh.

“I’m—”

“—sorry about earlier.”

She blinks. 

“Walking off like that. I must’ve killed the mood.”

Suletta smiles. “No, not at all. I should be at fault, I… well, y’know.”

Miorine breathes out. “I’ll… apologize to them tomorrow. With you.”

“Yes, I, um, I’ll come with you. But, to be honest, I don’t think they mind at all, Ms. Miorine,” she chuckles. “Though, Ms. Chuchu did say—” Suletta stops. Abruptly, she holds her tongue. 

“Suletta?” Miorine calls to her. “What is it?”

She looks down at her thighs. They’re pressed together, tense and straight like the rest of her body. She puts her next words together carefully, meticulously. She’s not good at talking, which is why she has to put in the extra effort. Always scared that she’ll screw up. Bring trouble to everyone. More so right now, she doesn’t want to mess things up—not to Miorine, of all people. 

But, oh, it bothers her. 

Chuchu’s words about Miorine dragging her in. It seemed clear to Chuchu, but Suletta doesn’t get it. Doesn’t understand. She never understands. 

“M-may I ask you something?”

Another sigh is heard from the other side of the phone. “You already are.”

She plays with the hem of her shorts with her free hand. Her voice softens, becomes more timid, “Why did you… why Ms. Chuchu?”

It may have been a mere few seconds. Perhaps longer. But time seems to have frozen. In the moment, in this brief little duration where Suletta anticipates, her patience wears thin, but she knows not to pry. S-she shouldn’t. She’s just her. She has no right to push Miorine. 

So she waits. 

“You’re a big dummy, you know that?”

Suletta’s chest strains a little, like her arteries are twisting—

“I chose her because I knew she would stop me. Her and her Spacian hate. There was no way she would’ve let me continue.”

Suletta stops breathing. “Wha…”

“But more than that,” Miorine continues, “I chose her because she sat right next to you.”

Slowly, her jaw hangs loose.

“I chose her because if anything, I trust that you would intervene.”

The twisting in her heart stops. Blood flows smoothly, her heart beats in a stable rhythm, and a slight smile tugs at her lips. “H-how do you know that?”

A grunt. “I just…” 

Suletta can almost hear the shrug. 

“... had a feeling.”

When she breathes out, it is shaky and uneven. Fitting, because her head is spinning. She feels dizzy, but it’s strange—how does one feel dizzy in a good way? As if she is being wrapped in a fluffy blanket—not unlike the comfort that she used to get when she sat in Aerial as a child. 

But, if she may, this sort of comfort far outweighs the one she feels in Aerial. Because in the cockpit, even though she has Aerial with her, she’s mostly just talking to the beeping monitors. 

Now, with Miorine, the fluffy blanket is that of her voice. Her warmth. Her presence. 

“Ms. Miorine?”

“Hm?”

Suletta inhales. Deep, deep breaths. “W-would you mind if I… um, if I came to see you?”

There is a little chuckle that comes from Miorine’s end. “It’s way past curfew, dummy. If the patrolling Haros catch you out in the dark, you’ll get in trouble.”

“They won’t catch me,” Suletta says, confident. “If I can pilot Aerial, I can pilot the scooters!”

“What are you even saying?” Miorine laughs. 

A rich, beautiful sound. She can’t help but to laugh with her. “Please wait for me, Ms. Miorine. I’ll be right there.”

“Mmn.” 

They hang up. Suletta stands with a newfound confidence. She runs towards the girl’s dorm room, which is amazing in its own right. Unlike how she usually does, she steps in, knowing that nobody is really asleep to tell them, loud and clear— “I’m so sorry, everyone, but I-I won’t be staying here tonight.”

The girls poke their heads out from their bunks. 

Now that she’s caught all their attention, the nerves kick in again. But Suletta pushes through. “I-I—”

“Just go already. Some of us are trying to sleep.” Chuchu says.

Nika chuckles. “Careful on your way there, Suletta.”

“Don’t let the Haros catch you! Avoid the main avenue. I know their patrols are less common closer to the engineering building at this hour.” Aliya tells her.

“Tell Ms. Miorine we said hi!” Lilique grins.

Suletta’s response is a wide, wide beam. Like a child who’s been offered free candy. Grateful, she bows, “Yes, I will! T-thank you so much! I… um, I’ll also let Mr. Martin know tomorrow, so—”

“God damn it, just get outta here! Jeez.” Chuchu interrupts. 

“Y-yes! Sorry! G-good night, everyone!”

And as she runs off, she hears a joyous laughter resounding in the room. It’s infectious—to the point that she finds herself laughing along.

.
.

Sneaking past the patrols was easy, indeed. Suletta probably came across only, like, three Haros? She enters the main building just as easily, and the excitement tenfolds as she approaches Miorine’s room. Once she arrives, she realizes that she hasn’t stopped grinning since leaving the Earth House. How silly must she look? 

She knocks on the door, cautious not to do it too loudly, but the response is instant. It slides open in a heartbeat, and Miorine, already donned in her usual turquoise nightwear, stands there. 

I-is she trying to feign annoyance?

Well, Suletta thinks she’s not very good at it. “Hello.”

Miorine huffs. She turns around. “That was fast.”

“I left immediately after the call.”

“I can tell,” she crosses her arms. “Come in.”

Suletta follows her. Past the gardening area that Miorine attends to with unsurmountable care, up the stairs, and towards the general bedding area. Prior to being accepted into the Earth House, Suletta would sleepover on a futon, next to Miorine’s bed. She figures that tonight wouldn’t be any different, and she’s completely okay with that. 

“I laid out your clothes from last time,” Miorine points towards her bed. It’s her usual t-shirt and pink shorts. “Doesn’t seem like you brought anything.”

She chuckles nervously. “I… yeah. I was kinda in a rush.”

Miorine gives her a look of what appears to be annoyance, but it is soon replaced by a small smile. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“No, but…” Suletta starts, “But I just, y’know.” There are several ways she can answer, but she chooses the most logical one, “... You’ll be going soon. Again. On another business trip. A-and I wanted to, um, spend more time? With you, that is. I-if that’s okay.”

The slight smile still present, Miorine takes one step closer. “Why do you ask me like you’re scared I’ll bite your head off?”

On instinct, she takes a step back. “I-I, no… I’m not—” Suletta looks away. She looks at anything but Miorine’s eyes. “Just… well, I’m just…!”

But Miorine picks up her pace. In fact, she’s close enough that she’s able to grab onto Suletta’s yellow tie, pulling the taller girl close. “You’re so annoying, you know that?”

“I-I… yes. I know,” Suletta squeaks and shuts her eyes. “I’m sorry.”

“You’re the one who asked to be here, yet you’re the one being all jumpy and scared. Why are you making me make the move?!”

She squeaks. Peeks one eye open. “M-make… move…?”

And Miorine—blushing Miorine with that signature annoyed look, thin brows narrowed and silver gaze razor-sharp, takes one more step closer. By now, their faces are a mere inch apart. “You asked if you could come see me, and you’re seeing me now,” she says. “So what are you going to do?”

Good question. Truthfully, Suletta hasn’t thought that far ahead. It was all an instinct when she said she wanted to see Miorine, but… but that doesn’t make her request any less important! She really does want to come see Miorine. For what, precisely, she doesn’t know. Suletta just has this feeling that—that this is important. Ah, but… but what good can she be if she doesn’t even know what she wants? Wouldn’t this just be a gigantic waste of time? 

Maybe what she said is true. Maybe she really can’t meet Miorine’s expectations. She’s just—

“Are you running away, or are you going to move forward?”

She blinks. Blue eyes sparkle curiously. Still hunched over with Miorine holding onto her tie, she isn’t exactly in a comfortable position. “Sorry?”

“Your stupid mantra,” Miorine grunts. “Tell me—right here, right now. Which will it be?”

No words. Suletta doesn’t know how to answer. She considers, taking a moment to contemplate. How, oh, how should she phrase it? Suletta studies the girl, her brain working on overdrive at first because she doesn’t want to waste Miorine’s time. 

“Suletta,” comes her soft voice. Her hold on that yellow tie loosens.

But then she sees hesitation—or is it a hint of sadness? Of disappointment? In that it is clear Miorine doesn’t want to let go. Here, as Suletta thinks, as she tries a bit too hard doing so, she learns that Miorine may very well be pushing for one particular answer. And with her bride waiting for her like this, despite looking like she’s annoyed, like she’s about to lose it, in truth, she is radiating with patience—one that seems to be exclusive for Suletta. 

That’s how it is with Miorine all the time, isn’t it? 

Patient and meticulous. But she covers these traits up with an aloof attitude. 

But she cares. Miorine cares a great deal.

Suletta smiles, seemingly understanding a little more now. “... I think I want to move forward.”

Slightly, Miorine’s expression cracks. She tries to prolong that annoyed look—she has to bite her lip to do it, but she does it. “And? What will you gain from that?”

Suletta relaxes. She reaches for Miorine’s hand that is on her tie. Cold skin touching Miorine’s warmer one, Suletta grips it securely. “Y-your approval, I hope.”

Miorine gives her an eye-roll. “You know you already have that,” she comes in closer. “Otherwise I wouldn’t have let you come in. Or the greenhouse, for that matter.”

There’s this little fluttering sensation in her heart. Butterflies, perhaps? Suletta feels a heat rising up her neck, and she’s quite sure that her cheeks are tinted pink. But she ignores it. Just… doesn’t want to think too much anymore. Instead, she brings the girl’s tiny palm to her cheek, indulging in a distinctive warmth that is so very Miorine. “I mean for other stuff, too.”

“What—what other stuff?” Miorine asks. 

Now, is that a stutter Suletta hears? She dares herself to come even closer. An arm circles around the girl’s small waist. “Hopefully,” she whispers, “... couple stuff?”

A huff. “Thought you didn’t want to ‘disrespect me’ or whatever.”

“Well, I-I really meant that! But, um…!” Suletta quickly argues. “But I—you said that I have your approval, right? So, um…”

Miorine grunts. She turns to the side. “Annoying.”

It’s a roller coaster. Her stomach is doing these flips, push and pull, push and pull. She can’t really understand Miorine sometimes, but she just knows that when the girl’s frown is finally dropped—finally, finally, as she giggles, Suletta just as well laughs along. It’s infectious, really, much like the comforting moment they shared on the phone earlier, the very notion of being with each other grants them this insatiable joy. One that Suletta doesn’t want to let go of. And so, she decides to ask—

“Ms. Miorine?”

Her fingertips caress Suletta’s cheeks. Light, tender strokes. “Hmm?”

“So… may I?”

Miorine’s jaw flexes. “What?”

“Do, um, couple stuff. W-with you.”

“Aren’t we already?”

She clears her throat. “I want, um, m-more?”

Miorine gives her a look. All smirky and teasing. “Pervert.”

“Wait, no, t-that’s not what I mean!”

“That’s exactly what you mean, you horndog.”

“Horn—wha… oh!”

She is interrupted. Cut off mid-sentence as Miorine has pulled her onto the bed. Suletta lies on top, balancing over the smaller girl—shocked. 

Takes her a good second to comprehend the situation, but when she does, the heat in her face makes her head spin. “M-M-Ms. Miorine…”

“Hmm?”

“Y-you…” she mumbles, “... call me a pervert, but you’re just as much of one.”

“Yeah,” Miorine’s voice comes out in a whisper. Her answer is simple, effortless. “You just noticed?”

Huh? Suletta blinks. What?

“I really do have to spell it out for you, don’t I?” 

Suletta’s arms give out as she is pulled down forcefully. Miorine’s got her in a headlock. N-not in the violent way. Actually, they’re rather close—intimate, even. Like, for example, their foreheads are touching. She can feel her bride’s minty breath against her lips, and it’s making her heart pound, thunder in her ears. This close, Suletta can see. Miorine’s usual silver eyes are dilated, pupils blown wide, hidden subtly under those thick, dark lashes. 

She’s… gosh, she’s so beautiful.

“It’s because you never make a move, you idiot,” Miorine tells her. “That’s why I have to play that stupid game.”

Realization strikes her like a freight train. Suletta audibly gasps, and her entire body stiffens. 

“So stop hesitating and, just…” the girl darts her eyes to the side, thin brows narrowed like she’s impatient, “... d-do your couple stuff already.”

She chokes on the breath of air that she isn’t aware she has been holding. Suletta’s head spins and spins—more prominently than before, and it doesn’t occur to her that tears are welling in her eyes. Goodness, to want to cry from happiness?! That… that’s unheard of! She can’t wipe the smile off her face, can’t ease the pounding in her chest, can’t stop trembling, but she can lean in and, maybe, with luck—

“M-may I start with a k-kiss?”

Miorine, who can obviously control her emotions better, gives her a reassuring smile. “Wouldn’t that be the normal thing to do?”

She laughs, “Yes. Yes, you’re right.” 

And she leans down, planting a light kiss on Miorine’s forehead. Then, slowly, she moves to a thin brow. An eyelid. A cheek. Her nose. And, at last, very, very gently—a mere brush, perhaps—Suletta kisses her on the lips. It is unpracticed, shy, and brimming with uncertainty. 

But when Suletta pulls back, wanting to make sure she’s doing this right, Miorine stops her. 

“Keep going,” she says, holding her down by the back of her head. Dainty fingers thread into her red hair, pulling her close. 

Suletta does her best to listen. She doesn’t want to mess this up. Doesn’t want to disappoint Miorine. So she goes on, brushing their lips together. Occasionally, she would nip at Miorine’s delicate skin, tugging just a little, as if asking what she’s doing is okay. 

Ah, she thinks as she closes her eyes, loses herself in the sensations, this is her first kiss. The thought makes that fluttering in her heart stronger. Is it the same for Miorine? Does she feel the same?

Her hands find their way to the girl’s tiny waist. 

Has Miorine had other people?

She outlines her curves. 

Would she have done this with them?

She plays with the hem of that tank top.

“Suletta…” 

Miorine calls her name in a sigh, soft and gentle—like music. It stirs something in her. And before she can move any further, she pauses. Flops down on top of the girl and just wraps her arms around her. 

“What—” Miorine’s voice is whispery, barely projecting. “Suletta, what’s wrong?” 

She likes that Miorine hugs her back. This attentive side that Suletta doesn’t want anyone else to see. But Suletta isn’t sure how to express it. She hides in Miorine’s shoulder, breathes her in. 

They are wrapped in a safe embrace, and Suletta feels so warm, so warm.

Miorine’s sweet scent. Miorine’s softness. Miorine’s touch. 

“I…” Suletta starts, hugging the girl tight. “I don’t think I can go on.”

A pause. And then— “Huh?!”

Suletta shirks.

“What, am I not your type?! Am I a turn-off for you?!”

“N-no, no, no! I-it’s not you, Ms. Miorine!” she quickly defends. “Actually, it’s the opposite—I just… I like you so much, I don’t—I don’t know what to do. My heart is pounding so hard, and I’m scared.”

Miorine takes a deep breath, but she doesn’t press on. Just, again, very attentively, circles her arms around Suletta more securely. 

“I’m sorry,” Suletta whispers. “I… I’ve never felt this way before.”

She feels Miorine shake her head. “No, it’s—no. I should be the one apologizing. This isn’t your fault. We… we are moving a bit too fast, I’ll admit. Truthfully, I’ve never done this before, and—”

“Wait, really?”

Miorine gives her a look. “Do you think I’d go around doing this with everyone I want?”

“Um,” Suletta blinks. “N-no, but, you’ve had other, erm, H-Holders…?”

“Right. So I would be doing this with the likes of Guel Jeturk.”

“Oh, that’s—” Suletta realizes now how ridiculous that sounds. How impossible that would be to imagine. “Actually…”

“Uh-huh.”

But still, she would like to make sure, “... So, um. A-am I, maybe, like, your, uh…”

“Yes.” Miorine rolls her eyes. “You’re my first. And because you’re such a dummy, I’ll tell you this as well—I never thought to do this with anyone else.”

There is no sound. No words. A comfortable silence takes over, up until Suletta breaks into a soft chuckle.

“Are you laughing at me?” Miorine accuses.

“No, no, I’m not,” her voice is bubbly, filled with joy. “Just that… I was wondering, y’know?”

“Wondering?”

Suletta sees Miorine’s flushed cheeks and is reminded of their closeness. The excitement mingled with nervousness in the most awkward way possible, yet everything feels right. Everything feels as it is supposed to be. And right now, more than anything, she just wants— “If I can hug you. F-for the rest of tonight.”

A breath of amusement. Miorine answers by stroking the back of her neck. 

It makes her smile. Makes her close her eyes and snuggle closer, hide in the girl’s shoulder. “I might fall asleep like this, Ms. Miorine.”

“That’s fine,” she says into her ear. “You make a good blanket.”

Suletta giggles. 

That’s the truth. She might just fall into a deep slumber in the comfort that is Miorine’s arms. Especially as she continues to stroke her back, brushing at her lightly, so soothingly. But perhaps it is because of this unfamiliar yet welcomed feeling that Suletta needs to tell her. To let her know—

“You really are like a prince, Ms. Miorine.” Suletta hears herself say, voice layered with a drowsiness. 

“Hm?”

She draws back, enough so that she can look at her. “When Mr. Martin asked me that question. Of whom I think is the best looking out of the three. I… I would have chosen you if you were a choice.”

Miorine is visibly surprised. Eyes widened and all, she takes a moment to take everything in. Considers how to respond. She ends up turning away again, finding a need to hide. “T-thanks, I suppose. Although, I am aware of how I look.”

Suletta grins. She wants to add that Miorine is princely to her not because of her looks, but oh well, perhaps she’ll tell her some other time. Right now, she just feels proud for making her bride blush. 

“I would also want to date you,” 

Miorine’s eyes widen. 

“M-marry you one day,”

Her jaw hangs loose.

“And, well… I don’t really want to kill, but if anyone hurts you—”

“Okay, stop!” Miorine shoves a hand against Suletta’s mouth. “I—I got it. Just…” She heaves a sigh before drawing her hand away. But Miorine is smiling, and every motion, every little move she makes radiates with an affection that is stellar—magical, even. 

Like how Miorine is the one to kiss her on the forehead this time. How it makes Suletta giggle, and how all of this translates into a curious sensation—one that she can only define as a form of fervour and warmth that she would like to cling onto. 

A vibrant and colourful emotion that Suletta, for the first time, imagines to be similar to how those princesses felt when their princes swept them off their feet. 

.
.