A/N: Hello my dear readers! I want to thank you all for the reviews/follows/favorites this story and myself have received. Also, I want to thank Maple Q for her lending me a hand when needed and all the support!
This chapter is a bit longer than the previous two, and having nothing else to say, I'll leave you to enjoy this chapter of Falling Into Warmth!
The halls were buzzing with students, most of them picking their books and other items from their lockers.
Cupid and Blondie walked arm-in-arm down the hallways, greeting friends and giggling at some cute sights like Cerise flirting with Briar (who seemed completely charmed), and the daughter of King Charming, Darling, showing off her strength by carrying Holly O'Hair around bridal style.
In a locker not too far away, Cupid spotted Dexter chatting with Humphrey pretty excitedly. The girl felt a bit bad she had completely forgot about him, but he was looking fine enough and when their eyes made contact she only waved at him with a warm smile. Dexter returned the gesture and proceeded to talk. Blondie saw this and smiled.
A small hope sparkled within her core before being quenched; it was Cupid who had the crush. Dexter's heart had been broken as well, yes, but he would be fine when he at least internalized the fact of Raven loving another. For Cupid it was more complicated, since her crush not only didn't reciprocate her feelings but was in a quest he couldn't conquer. Dexter Charming beating Apple White for Raven Queen's heart? That's one hex of a joke.
Putting these thoughts aside she turned to the winged girl beside her and spoke soflty so only the two of them could hear, "Good to see you two are doing fine." the blonde said.
Cupid's brows perked up a bit, "Huh? Oh, I know he'll be fine." she catched a glimpse of Sparrow talking to Duchess, a flame of jealousy slowly starting, "And what about you and Sparrow? Any luck?" she said, jealousy little less than obvious. She could swear Blondie was crushing on the son of Robin Hood.
That is until Blondie's own brows furrowed together in a puzzled expression.
"Sparrow? Well, he and I talk to each other sometimes but I don't like him. Why would you think that?" Blondie ended asking. She was highly surprised Cupid thought she liked Sparrow out of all people. She guessed she didn't know he actually was Poppy's crush.
The pink haired girl found herself dumbfounded, Blondie doesn't like Sparrow? Did I hear well that part? was all that came to her mind. She felt suddenly excited and her heart was fluttering. She had a chance. A small one, since her knowledge didn't reach if Blondie would reciprocate her or not, but a chance nonetheless. What am I doing? She asked you something! the girl snapped out of her happy trance and blushed a deep shade of red.
"O-Oh, I don't know. Perhaps I've been drinking too much of Maddie's special tea lately!" Cupid stuttered, while still walking with Blondie by her side. Blondie felt something was off and doing a risqué move she planted a quick, soft kiss of her roommate's cheek. She felt that warm feeling yet again, this time stronger than before. The other girls eyes widened in surprise, but soon a radiant smile made an appearance in the winged girl's expression.
It was genuine, unlike the forced ones she'd been seeing a little too often for her liking. That little spark of hope she had before returned ten fold and ignited a bonfire within her. Maybe there's a chance! she beamed and gave a big smile of her own.
Cupid on her side was ecstatic and barely could contain her joy. Yes, the kiss came out of the blue, but she would figure it out with Raven in a while. The girl's mind was going a mile a minute and her heart felt like it would burst out of her chest. She grinned as wide as her lips would go and to say she felt warm was an understatement. She felt on fire.
The grinning pair spotted Raven and Apple standing outside the door to the Castleteria, both looking giggly and making eyes at each other.
They made their way to the couple and Apple noticed them, "Blondie! Cupid!" the princess waved energetically. Raven took Apple's hand intertwining their fingers and met the other two halfway.
"Hi there lovebirds!" Blondie greeted and hugged both Apple and Raven. Cupid did the same minus the greeting words. "Let's go eat, I'm famishing", the blonde clad in blue commented and the four entered the Castleteria, getting in the line to get their treats served.
As soon as they sat on an empty table the two blondes were engaged in conversation, possibly about new topics for Blondie's show. Raven, however, was too focused on Apple's lips to even pay attention at what was being said. That's when Cupid's voice broke the hypnotic trance she seemed to be in.
"Earth to Raven?" Cupid snapped her fingers twice, "Ah, you're back! Awesome." the daughter of Eros chuckled. Her friend was beyond lost.
"Huh? Sorry, I guess I got distracted for a bit", the violet eyed girl admitted blushing pink and rubbing the back of her neck, "What is it?"
The future Goddess of Love closed the gap between them and Raven did the same, catching Cupid's drift, "Actually, I think it'd be better of I told you in private..." the winged girl whispered. Raven nodded and looked around their trays, quickly making up a excuse. The purple haired witch touched her girlfriend's shoulder lightly and the girl turned immediately, "Apple? Cupid and I are going to fetch some more sausages, be right back."
The daughter of Snow White gave a smile and nodded, watching her girlfriend go with Cupid before getting back into conversation with Blondie.
Once the two girls were far enough from the table, Raven's expression changed showing concern for her friend. She usually was carefree and now, she looked like a deer afraid of getting caught on the headlights. "What's the matter Cupid? Is there something troubling you?" the purple haired girl asked.
Cupid bit her lower lip taking a deep breath, "It's Blondie." she said.
Raven's eyebrow lifted and her concern soon mixed with confusion. Blondie and Cupid always got along very well and never had a problem. Once, Raven remembered, Cupid commented her that after having a specifically vivid nightmare Blondie sneaked under her blankets looking for comfort.
Cupid, always being protective of her roommate, curled her wing around her and soothed her fears until the blonde fell asleep. When the girl kept shivering in her sleep, the would-be Goddess embraced Blondie and the shivering stopped by the second. So, why would Blondie be the reason behind her friend's behavior?
"Blondie? I don't get it. You two are close and I'm sure Blondie wouldn't do anything to harm you in any way." Raven stated, trying to get her finger on whatever after was the problem.
"No, no. She hasn't done anything of the sort. It's just... How should I explain it?" the girl fidgeted, but decided to just say things as they were. She knew Raven wouldn't judge her, "I just realized... I have a crush on Blondie. I know it's true because I never felt this way for any of my past couples. Not even Dexter-" she cut herself off. She hadn't told Raven of her previous crush on Dexter.
Raven's brows perked high, but there were more pressing matters at hand, "Keep going, I'm listening".
The winged girl sighed in relief and proceeded, "I'm confused about how she feels, though. Because I thought she was into Sparrow but when I asked her today she said she wasn't a few moments later she kissed my cheek and smiled and I don't know what that could mean. Also, she knew of my crush on Dexter. If I were to confess to her, how could I convince her I'm not desperated?" Cupid rewinded a bit and gave herself a mental facepalm.
Raven didn't know Dexter was crushing on her! Let alone the whole situation she was in before Apple's confession!
As expected, the other girl's expression was puzzled and the inevitable question came out, "But what does your crush on Dexter have to do?"
Cupid sighed and explained everything to Raven, from Dexter's crush on the witch to her unrequited love for the boy and how Apple's confession sent the boy into a loop of denial, making it too harmful for Cupid to keep loving him. The purple haired girl nodded slowly, feeling a bit bad for the boy. Cupid assured he would be fine once he accepted the fact that she (Raven) and Apple were now together and NOT letting go.
Now understanding everything, Raven hugged Cupid. A bulb appeared above the violet eyed girl's head, "Cupid! I know how you could tell Blondie how you feel! Or at least give her a hint.", Raven beamed, seeing Cupid's eyes sparkle in hope.
"Really? How?", the winged girl nearly jumping in one feet at how happy she felt.
"You could invite her to your show today and drop hints for her to pick up. I'm sure there's something behind that kiss she gave you earlier." Raven assured. She motioned Cupid to get back to the table and both girls started walking.
Cupid was already forming a plan in her head and didn't see when Apple and Blondie jumped back into their seats and faked to still be on their conversation. Raven saw this and smirked, a single thought crossing her mind. Apple and I will have to hold on tight!
(WHILE RAVEN AND CUPID WERE AWAY)
"Apple? Cupid and I are going to fetch some more sausages, be right back."
The daughter of Snow White gave a smile and nodded, watching her girlfriend go with Cupid before getting back into conversation with Blondie.
Before the princess could speak, the daughter of Goldilocks propelled herself up and with distress in her tone she said, "Apple, I need your help!"
Apple was dumbfounded, and blinked a couple times before closing even more the gap between them and placing a hand above Blondie's, "Of course, dear! What's the matter?"
Blondie closed her eyes for a second before she spoke a little timidly, "I... Realized I have a crush on Cupid and... I don't know what to do."
Apple's eyes widened in surprise for mere moments before her gaze softened and gave Blondie a reassuring hand squeeze, "Blondie, you know I'd never judge you and you can always count on me. Tell me what bothers you about your crush and I'll do everything I can to help you." Snow White's daughter spoke with sweetness. She noticed how the other girl relaxed and released a relieved sigh.
"Alright. Everytime I see her, I feel this sensation within me that I can't explain and it's like the rest of the world vanished and there's only us.", the girl clad in blue had said in a dreamy tone.
"But, Blondie, that sounds charming! Is it unrequited love the problem?" Apple couldn't quite understand. If Cupid didn't correspond her friend's love, then she would play matchmaker and make it happen. Yes, Raven would shoot her a glance of what do you think you're doing, but she would convince her. Not the time for hypothetic reactions! she snapped at herself and waited for Blondie to proceed explaining.
"Perhaps... Cupid's getting over a broken heart and I can't help but feel like if I confessed, I'd be taking advantage of her current susceptibility and that's just not right." Blondie looked down for a second before she remembered the small kiss she had given Cupid not an hour ago, "But maybe... Apple, remember awhile ago when Cupid and I met you outside?" It was a dumb question, but it was better if she wanted get her point across.
"Well, duh. What's with that?" the princess was pretty much confused by now.
"Before we spotted you, she asked me how were things going between Sparrow and me. She looked jealous, but when I told her I didn't like him that way and she looked deep in thought. I don't know what made me do it, but she looked so cute I couldn't help myself and kissed her on the cheek on impulse. She blushed and I swear it was the brightest smile I've ever after seen on her!" the daughter of Goldilocks hoped the other girl would pick up on her idea.
And fortunately, that's exactly what happened.
Apple nodded enthusiastically and beamed, "That means she might like you back! Now, let's figure out a way for you to let her know what you feel." the girl took her hand under her chin and hummed while trying to think of something, anything, before Raven and Cupid arrived. Blondie did the same.
A handwritten note? Possibly too deep. Confession? Too overwhelming! Ugh, if I were in love with another fairytale instead of Cupid I'd ask... Her... That's it!
A light bulb flickered on somewhere ever after.
"I got it! I will make an anonymous call during her MirrorCast show and let her know by dropping hints!" Blondie chimed.
Apple was about to give her approval when she saw Raven and Cupid making their way to the table, "Here they come! Act normal!" the girls returned to their original seating positions and a few moments later said girls reached their seats as well. "No sausages left?" Apple commented, faking a casual tone.
The purple haired witch nodded at Cupid and brushed her elbow against Apple's. The blonde couldn't catch the signals and was about to ask Raven what was going on, but Raven would have none of it and decided to mute her with a "sudden" kiss. Apple was almost instantly completely into the kiss, leaving Blondie desperately trying to lay her gaze on something else when she heard Cupid addressing her.
"Uh, Blondie?", she began, making a mental note to thank Raven later for the distraction.
"Yes?" Blondie turned both gratefully, because Raven was taking her precious time and nervously, mainly because Cupid had that effect on her as of lately.
The winged girl took a deep breath and let the words come out on their own, "I was wondering if you would like to make a special guest appearance in today's show?" she felt the heat rising to her cheeks and begged Zeus not to blush right now.
"Y-Yes, I'd love to!" Blondie stuttered. Raven chose that precise moment to break the kiss, leaving Apple utterly breathless. Hex, she was breathless herself, but it was so worth it. Cupid smiled and took her and Blondie's food trays, getting up to drop them at the top of the trash bin.
Apple eyed Blondie and when their eyes made contact she winked, as if saying "go for it". Cupid came back and the bell rang, announcing the beginning of classes. Blondie and Cupid bid them two farewell and left just as they entered: arm-in-arm, both looking excited and frightened at the same time.
Once Apple and Raven were alone in their table the blonde princess didn't waste any time and eyed Raven suspiciously, "What was that for? I mean, I loved it, but was it so necessary for me to shut up?" she asked the other girl.
"Well, Cupid needed a little distraction. Besides, I think you had to do with Blondie being so eager, am I wrong?" she smirked towards her girlfriend with an eyebrow perking up.
"Those two are getting together in a few hours, aren't they?" Apple figured while taking their own trays with one hand and holding Raven's with her free other. They deposited them in their place and left the Castleteria hand-in-hand, Apple's head resting on Raven's right shoulder.
"I hope so." Raven said, kissing their linked fingers.
Further away in the hallway, Cupid and Blondie's smiles matched perfectly, both hiding the same nervousness.
Drop hints, drop hints... Cupid repeated on her mind like a broken record.
Now I can't make the call... But I'll figure something out by then! Blondie mentally cherished.