WHAT IS THIS I DON'T EVEN
Warnings: mild femslash, uhhhh... yeah.
Song lyrics not mine. "The Only Exception" by Paramore.
I.
The question comes when they are sitting back to back under the cherry tree in her backyard.
"Electra?"
It her full name, a rarity, that makes her realize the queen sitting against her is serious and grave.
"Yeah?"
"What would you do if I punched you?"
It seems like such a silly question compared to the tone she uses.
"What kind of question is that?"
"Just answer it."
"I… I guess I would punch you back."
"Oh."
There is silence again, and as the first blossom drifts down on the breeze, Electra wonders if the question had any real value at all.
Etcetera smiles secretly to herself, because it did.
II.
This time it's after history.
They are walking side by side, when Etcetera suddenly stops talking about going swimming over the weekend.
"What is it?" Electra asks.
"What would you do if I kicked you?"
The sudden change in her personality makes Electra stop walking. It's been two weeks since Etcetera talked about harming Electra under her cherry tree.
"I would kick you back."
"Okay."
"Why?"
"No reason."
III.
"Can I ask you something?" Etcetera stops Electra in the hall on the last day of school, eyes wide, voice desperate, backpack heavy.
"Sure, what?"
"Would you hit me back if I hit you?"
The answer comes without even a pause. "Yes."
"Harder, even?"
"Harder."
"Good."
"Wait!" Etcetera stops when Electra calls her, waiting. "See you over the summer?"
Her face breaks in a smile. "Of course."
IV.
Her phone vibrates, making a whirring sound as it rattles on the nightstand. Electra picks it up, even though she knows that she should be asleep, and Etcetera should be too.
"Etcetera, what is it? It's three o'clock!"
"I know, I know, I'm sorry, it's just that…"
"Spit it out."
"What would you do if I… shoved you?"
"I'd shove you back, can I go back to sleep now?"
"Yes, that's all."
Electra hangs up just as Etcetera says, "Thank you, again."
V.
It's late in August when Etcetera is laying next to Electra under her cherry tree. Electra can't see Etcetera, but she can tell Etcetera is concentrating on something.
"Electra?"
It's going to be another question, Electra can tell. Etcetera never says her full name unless it is.
"Yes?" Exasperated, tired, confused.
"What would you do if I-"
"Let's just get this straight: I would do it back."
"You didn't let me finish!"
"Okay, okay, finish then."
"What would you do if I… said I loved you?"
It comes like a punch in the stomach; Electra's eyes go wide and she is suddenly aware of Etcetera's hand in hers. Were we doing that before? Have we ever done that?
Then she remembers every time Etcetera asked her something like that, her voice. Desperate, needing, ashamed.
"Well?"
Electra looks over at Etcetera. She looks worried, and her eyes beg Electra to say something.
Would I say it back? Would I… walk away? Would I gasp and scoff?
The decision comes with finality in her voice.
"I would say it back to you."
And up until now I've sworn to myself
that I'm content with loneliness.
But darling,
You are the only exception.